The Notting Hill Mystery

  5. _Statement of Mrs. Throgmorton._

  Mrs. Throgmorton presents her compliments to Mr. R. Henderson, andbegs to inform him that the girl Sarah Newman, who is still in herservice, and continues to give entire satisfaction in every way, cameto her about Christmas, 1854, with a written character from the BaronR**, then residing at Bognor, and with whom she had been as housemaidand parlourmaid for some weeks. The character given by the Baron wasa most satisfactory one, but on Mrs. Throgmorton's desiring to knowthe reason of Sarah Newman's leaving the situation, she was informedby the Baron that it was on account of her having played a foolishtrick upon her late mistress by administering an emetic to her withoutauthority, a highly reprehensible proceeding, which rendered Mrs.Throgmorton very much indisposed to receive her into her family. Onfurther correspondence with Sarah Newman's late master, however, Mrs.Throgmorton received the impression that the fault had, in point offact, been chiefly on the side of Madame R**, though, of course, as agentleman, impossible to say so directly with respect to his own wife,and Mrs. Throgmorton therefore agreed to take Sarah Newman on trial,as she appeared truly penitent for her most reprehensible conduct,and has since proved a very valuable servant in every respect. Mrs.Throgmorton trusts that this information will be satisfactory to Mr.Henderson, as he appears interested in Sarah Newman's welfare, in whomMrs. Throgmorton herself takes great interest.

  Cliftonville.

  6. _Statement of Mr. Andrews._

  "SIR,

  "In reply to your letter of the 25th ultimo, I beg to inform you thatthe girl, Sarah Newman, certainly was in my service at Brighton fora month or two in the summer of 1854, but was discharged, I think,in September of that year, for various petty thefts. She was a veryinteresting girl, and took us in completely, but was accidentallydiscovered by one of our children, and after full proof of herdelinquencies, turned away without a character. My own wish was toprosecute her, which indeed I considered almost a duty to othersby whom she might hereafter be plundered, but I was persuaded torelinquish my intention by my wife, who had taken a great fancy toher. About two months after her dismissal, a gentleman, who gave someGerman name--I cannot now remember it--called to inquire our reasonsfor discharging her, and I then informed him of the whole case. Hequestioned me pretty closely as to my real opinion of the girl, statingthat he was philanthropically disposed, and would give her a chancefor reform, if there was any likelihood of her availing herself of it.I told him frankly my own opinion, viz., that the girl was a hardenedoffender; but my wife was very eager that she should have anotherchance, and I have very little doubt the German gentleman took her. Hewas, so far as I remember, a stout good-natured looking man, and he hadwith him a young lady whom he left in the carriage, and who was, hesaid, his wife. I think the name you mention--Baron R**, is the samename as that given--or at least something like it--but cannot be quitesure. I am, "Dear sir, "Faithfully yours, "CHARLES ANDREWS.

  "P.S.--My wife begs me to ask that should you know anything of theafter-career of her protegee you will kindly communicate it to us.

  "R. Henderson, Esq., &c. &c. &c.,"Clement's Inn, W.C."

  7. _Statement of Sarah Newman._

  N.B. This statement was not obtained without considerable difficulty,and must be taken for whatever it may be worth. The girl was naturallyanxious to be secured against the possible consequences of her ownadmissions, and I only at last succeeded in inducing her to speak outby means both of a promise on the part of Mrs. Throgmorton not todischarge her, and a threat of police interference, if she did notconfess the whole truth. I have, myself, no doubt whatever of thecorrectness of her statement as it now stands, and it is, as you willsee, corroborated in several very important particulars, but whetherit could be produced before a jury, or, if it were so, what effect itwould have upon their minds, are both very doubtful questions. R. H.

  My name is Sarah Newman. I was in the service of Mr. Andrews atBrighton for three months. I was discharged by him for stealing tea andsugar. Mr. Andrews wanted to take the law of me, but my mistress wouldnot let him. My mistress would have kept me on, but master said, No.She was always very kind to me, and it was very ungrateful of me to robher. I would never do so again. My present mistress is very kind to me,too. I have never robbed her of a pin. I declare to goodness I havenot, nor I never will steal from anybody again. I have often wanted totell Mrs. Andrews so since, but did not know where she was. I did notsay it to her when I left. I felt quite hard like, because of master.I was out of place two months after that. No one would take me withouta character. At last a friend at Bognor told me of a gentleman, and Igot her to speak to him. It was the Baron. He came to see me one daywhen he was at Brighton. He insisted on knowing all about me--where Ihad been and why I had left Mr. Andrews. He was very kind, and said itwas hard a poor girl should be ruined for one false step. He said if Iwould promise never to steal again he would give me a trial. I promisedhim faithfully, and he at last took me down to Bognor with him. I donot know whether he made any inquiries about me. I think not. He didnot tell me he had. I meant to keep my promise. Indeed I did, and Idid keep it, almost. I mean I only took one little thing, and I reallydid not think that was stealing. Nothing was ever locked up. The Baronalways insisted on having the tea-chest and other things left open incase he wanted some. I never took any. I might have taken a great deal,but I did not. I used to think sometimes things were left on purpose totempt me, but of course that was fancy. Often there were coppers leftabout, but I never touched them. I did take one thing at last. I didnot think it was stealing. It was only some orange-marmalade. I am veryfond of sweet things. One day there was a pot of orange-marmalade. Itwas left on the table. It was after they had gone away from breakfast.I couldn't help it. It looked so nice. I just put in my finger. Thatwas all. I declare to goodness that was all. I did not even taste it.The Baron came back and caught me. He did not say anything. He justshut the door close and walked straight up to me. I was so frightened Icould not move. He took hold of my wrist and held up my hand. I burstout crying. He said it was no use crying; I had deceived him, and mustgo. He said if he did his duty he ought to give me up to the police. Isaid indeed I had taken nothing, but only that little taste of sweets.He said who would believe me with my character? He spoke very kind butvery stern, and I was dreadfully frightened. I begged of him not togive me up, and he said he would give me one chance more; but I must goaway. I said if he turned me out without a character I might as welldrown myself at once. I begged him to let me stay; but he said thatwas impossible. Then I begged him not to say why I was sent away. Hesaid, what else could he say? I begged him again very hard. At lasthe said he would think over it. He said he would try and make someother excuse for my going, but I must go next day, positive. He told meif he did make an excuse for me to be very careful not to contradicthim. I was very grateful to him. He is a kind good gentleman, and Ishall always bless him for it. I did not go next day. I was kept bymy mistress's illness. She was very bad indeed. I did all I could forher. I hoped the Baron had forgotten and would let me stay. He sentfor me two or three days afterwards. There was another gentleman withhim. It was the doctor. He charged me with having given some stuff tomy mistress to make her sick. Of course I denied it. I never gave heranything, I never had any quarrel with her at all. She was always verygood-natured to me, but I did not like her much. I don't know why. Ithink it was because she did not like master. I said I had given hernothing. No more I had. I never saw the bottle, and don't know whatit was. I cannot read at all. I saw master look at me, and he saidsomething about two or three days ago. I knew then that he was makingan excuse to send me away. He made signs at me to abide by what hesaid, and I did abide by it. The other gentleman was very hard, butof course he did not know. What the Baron said was given as a reasonfor my going away. That was all. The real reason was my taking themarmalade. If you ask the Baron he will tell you so. I hope you willtell him how grateful I am for
his kindness to me.

  [Footnote 1: See next page.]

  [Footnote 2: Compare Sections II., 2 and 5; and III., 1.]

  [Footnote 3: Compare Mrs. Anderton's Journal. Dec, 9.]

  [Footnote 4: On inquiry I find this to have been the decoction ofPeruvian bark.--R. H.]

  [Footnote 5: Compare Section III., 2.]

  SECTION V.

  1.--_Memorandum by Mr. Henderson._

  We have now reached a point in this mysterious story at which I mustagain direct your attention most particularly to the coincidences ofdates, &c., on which, indeed, depends entirely, as I have before said,the only solution at which I have found it possible to arrive.

  The length to which these depositions have run has obliged me todivide them into distinct sections, each of which should bear moredirectly upon some particular phase of the case. For this purpose Ihave taken, as you will have perceived, first the early history of Mrs.Anderton, and as we may, I think, fairly assume, of Madame R** also,thus establishing, at the outset, the initiatory link of that chain ofconnection between these two extraordinary cases, which, inexplicableas either is in itself, will nevertheless, I cannot but imagine,each help to elucidate the other. The second division placed us inpossession of the histories both of Mrs. Anderton and Madame R**, upto the point at which the thread of their singular destinies crossed;showing, also, how the Baron became aware of his wife's probablerelationship to Mrs. Anderton, and of the benefit thereby accruing toher upon the death, without issue, of her sister and Mr. Anderton.The third section deals with the first illness of Madame R**, to thedate and circumstances of which I felt it right to direct your mostparticular attention.

  In the fourth division of the evidence we then reviewed thecircumstances attending the fatal illness of Mrs. Anderton, which ledto her husband's arrest on suspicion of murder, and finally to hissuicide, while awaiting investigation. A considerable portion of theevidence connected with this phase of the subject I have thought itbest to keep back for insertion in that division of the case whichbears more particularly upon the conduct and death of Mr. Anderton,and which will follow that on which we are now about to enter. Thenarrative, therefore, of Mrs. Anderton's last illness has been thusfar confined to the mention of it in the unfortunate lady's own diary,with the note at its termination, in which her husband records the factof her decease. With this, however, I have coupled an account, drawnpartly from an earlier portion of the same diary, and partly from thestatement of the medical man by whom she was at the time attended, ofa previous illness very similar in general character to that by whichshe was finally carried off, and apparently of an equally unaccountabledescription. The object with which I have thus placed in juxtapositionthe first attacks respectively of Madame R** and Mrs. Anderton willprobably be sufficiently apparent. I have now to direct your attentionto a second illness of Madame R**, occurring, under what I cannot butfeel to be most suspicious circumstances, but a very few months beforeher demise.

  In proceeding with this portion of the case, the extreme importanceattaching to a thorough and correct appreciation of the dates of thevarious occurrences will become more obvious at every step, and to themI must again request your utmost attention. I had at first proposedto submit to you in a tabular form the singular coincidences to whichI allude, but on reflection, such a course appeared objectionable,as tending to place too strongly before you a view of the subjectwith which I must confess myself thoroughly dissatisfied. I have,therefore, preferred leaving entirely to yourselves the comparison ofthe various dates, &c., limiting myself strictly to a verification oftheir accuracy. In many instances this has been no easy task, and moreparticularly in establishing satisfactorily the exact date (5th April,1856), at which the symptoms of Madame R**'s second illness firstappeared, wherein I have experienced a difficulty only compensated bythe importance of the result.

  I have, therefore, to request that the depositions here following maybe carefully compared with the concluding portion of Mrs. Anderton'sdiary, and also with the statement of Dr. Dodsworth. In making thiscomparison you will notice, besides the points I have already referredto respecting dates, various discrepancies between facts as actuallyoccurring and as represented to Mr. and Mrs. Anderton by the Baron.These I need not here particularise, as they will be sufficientlyobvious on a perusal of the depositions themselves, but it is as wellto draw your attention generally to them, as they seem to have asignificant bearing upon other parts of the case.

  I must request you also to bear in mind the relation in which the Baronand his wife were supposed to stand towards each other previously totheir marriage, and will now proceed to lay before you the depositionsrelating, as I have said, to the second illness of the latter.

  2.--_Statement of Mrs. Brown._

  My name is Jane Brown. I am a widow, and my poor dear husband wasa clerk in the city. I don't know in whose house. I did know but Iforget. My memory is very bad. I live in Russell Place. The house ismy own, not hired. My poor dear husband left it to me in his will. Isometimes let it off in lodgings. Not always. Only when I can get quietlodgers. Last year[1] I let the first and second floors to Baron R**.The ground floor was let to Dr. Marsden. He has had it several years.He does not live there. He has a practice near London. He comes toRussell Place every Monday and Friday to see his patients. He used tolive with us. That was in my poor dear husband's lifetime. Baron R**took the rest of the house except the attics. I lived there myself. Icannot remember when the Baron came. It was some time in February orMarch. I am sure I cannot remember. I have no means of ascertaining. Idon't keep any accounts. My poor dear husband always kept the accounts.I have kept none since he died. I dare say I lose money by it, butI can't help it. I have no head for it. I am pretty sure it was inFebruary or March. I think about the beginning of March.[2] There wasno other lodger then. Not till my son went away from home again. Hewas away from home then. He came home some time in March or April. Isuppose it was in March. He came from Melbourne to Liverpool. He wasat home for some weeks. I can't tell how many. He went away again inApril, or it might have been May. I am almost sure it was not laterthan May. Not so late I think. Mrs. Troubridge could tell you. Richardmarried her daughter. Richard is my son. He married Ellen Troubridge.That was while he was at home last year. They had been engaged ever solong. He came home on purpose to marry her. He had got a promise ofsomething at Melbourne, and was obliged to go back directly. He workedhis passage home from Melbourne. I do not know what ship he came in. Idon't think he shipped in his own name. I forget why it was. Somethingabout not liking to have it known. I don't know why not. I don't knowat all what name he took. I cannot remember when he came home or whenhe went. I do not know when he left Melbourne. He brought home onepaper. There is only a small piece of it left. He was with me all thetime he was at home except Saturdays and Sundays. He used to go down toBrighton then to see Ellen. She was in a shop there. He used to go bythe excursion train and stay with her mother from Saturday to Monday.All the rest of the time he was with me. That is all I can tell youabout him. The other lodger was a friend of his. He had known him inAustralia. He asked him to his wedding. That was at our house. It wason a Monday, and he came the Saturday before. They all came up togetherfrom Brighton. The Baron let us use his rooms. He went away somewhereto give his lady change of air. I think it was because she had beenill. I cannot be sure. She was ill several times at my house. She diedthere. I forget when was the first time she was ill there. It was whilemy son was in England. I remember talking to him about it. He was awayfrom home at the time. There was no one in the house but myself. Iremember it because I was so frightened. There was nobody at all. Noteven a servant. I generally have a servant. I was without one then fortwo or three months. I got a charwoman to come in the day. The reasonwas my servant got tipsy. She had to be taken away by the police andI was afraid for a long while to get another. I can't at all rememberwhen that was. I think it must have been before the Baron came. I can'tbe sure. I am quite sure it was before Madame R** was taken ill.
I amsure of that because I remember so well how frightened I was. I thinkDr. Marsden attended Madame R**. He used to be very friendly with theBaron. Everybody liked him. He was so good-natured and so very kind tohis wife. We did not think so much of her. She was very quiet, but shedid not seem to care about him. She seemed frightened like. I sometimesthought she was not quite right in her head. The Baron was always kindto her. He was good-natured with everybody. I never heard him say ahard word of any one but once. That was of young Aldridge. He wasRichard's friend who lodged with us.[3] He made a noise and disturbedMadame R**. He came home one night quite intoxicated, and the Baronasked me to give him notice. He said if Mr. Aldridge did not go hemust. Of course I gave him notice directly. He said it was all spite.Of course I knew that was not true. He said he was not drunk, but thepoliceman found him lying on the doorstep. I forget what he said. Itwas some foolish story about the Baron. I do not know of any reason whythey should have quarrelled. I remember he said something once aboutMadame R** walking in her sleep. I don't know what it was. I don'tthink that could have had anything to do with it. Of course it couldnot. The Baron complained of being disturbed. That was all. I do notremember that I was ever disturbed myself. His room was next to mine. Imight have been disturbed without remembering it. I certainly was thatnight he came home intoxicated. He might have disturbed Madame R** andI slept through it. I sleep heavy sometimes. I forget when this was andwhen he left the house. I cannot remember the exact dates of anything.My poor dear husband always did everything of that sort for me. He wasa very exact man. I have no sort of books or papers of any kind towhich I could refer. This is all I can tell you about it.