THE PICCADILLY PUZZLE.
Cain was an amateur in the art of murder, but then he had no one to copy from, so his clumsiness must be excused. The crime of Jermyn Street, however, is an admirable example how civilization can improve the difficult art of taking life in a skilful manner. The whole affair is quite dramatic, so we will divide this tragedy into acts, and place it before our readers.
Act I.--Scene, Jermyn Street; foggy morning; half-past two.
Enter Spencer Ellersby on his way to hotel from ball. In dense fog he mistakes his hotel--goes up wrong steps; there finds dead body of woman. Utters a cry of horror--cue for policeman, who enters; views body by lantern light--sealskin jacket, silk dress, fair hair, beautiful face--sounds whistle; enter other policemen, who exeunt with body in one direction, while Spencer Ellersby goes off in the other.
Act II.--Scene, hospital. Present, inspector, policeman, and doctor.
Doctor examines body--finds no evidence of violence, except slight discoloured mark on one side of neck--opinion of inspector that something, chain probably, has been wrenched off by assassin--is also of opinion that death could not have been thus caused. Doctor says death is caused by blood-poisoning--evidence being, swollen condition of body, protruding tongue, discolouration of skin--thinks it must be poison--makes minute examination--finds on neck slight scratch just on jugular vein, greatly inflamed--is of opinion that assassin has wounded victim in neck with poisoned dagger or knife. Inspector takes description of body for purpose of having hand-bills printed to distribute about city--exeunt omnes with body to Morgue.
Act III. is so long that we will drop the dramatic style and tell it in our own fashion. Our special reporter was at the inquest, and the following are the result of his inquiries:
The body of the deceased was examined by the jury, and the following articles of clothing were put in evidence:
1. Sealskin jacket. 2. Silk dress. Gloves. 3. Under linen (not marked). 4. Hat (brown and blue velvet intertwined, clasped with silver crescent).
Evidence of Spencer Ellersby: