Such was the cable dispatch that Arthur got a fortnight after he had mailed his letter to Counselor Ulrich of Vienna. A fortnight later still, the post brought him an epistle to the same effect. Then ensued four weeks of silence. During these four weeks one question had received a good share of his attention. The substance and the solution of it, may be gathered from the following conversation held between him and Peixada.
Arthur said, “Suppose the residence of your sister-in-law to be discovered: what next? Suppose we find that she is living in Europe: how can we induce her to return hither and render herself liable to the jurisdiction of our courts? Or suppose even that she should turn out to be established here in New York: what’s to prevent her from packing her trunks and taking French leave the day after citations to attend the probate of her husband’s will are served upon her? In other words, how are we to compel her to stand and deliver? Ignorant as we are of the nature and location of her properties, we can’t attach them in the regular way.”
Peixada said, “Hum! That’s so. I hadn’t thought of that. That’s a pretty serious question.”
“At first,” said Arthur, “it struck me as more than serious—as fatal. But there’s a way out of it—the neatest and simplest way you can imagine.”
“Ah,” sighed Peixada, with manifest relief.
“Now see,” continued Arthur. “Mrs. Peixada shot her husband—was indicted—tried—acquitted’—yes?”
“To be sure.”
“But at the same time she also took the life of a man named Edward Bolen, her husband’s coachman—eh?”
“She did—certainly.”
“Was she indicted for his murder as well as for the other?”