Detective Sergeant John Mitchell

Detective Sergeant John Mitchell, mentioned on page 127 of the "Jack the Ripper: An Encyclopedia."

ALLEGED BANK FRAUDS.
Man Traced to London and Arrested Last Night.

Scotland Yard detectives last night arrested in London a man who is suspected of a number of daring bank frauds in Dundee.
For some time past the Scottish Police have been warned that a well-dressed stranger had been accosting messengers from banks in Dundee, and by means of bogus messages and documents obtaining from them the cash they had just drawn. The latest victim was a messenger for a well-known firm of manufacturers, who was stopped shortly after leaving the bank and told that he had not given the necessary receipt. He unsuspectingly handed over 50 pounds in gold and returned to the bank, only to find that he had been victimised.
The Dundee police were informed and the man was traced to London, as the result of which last evening Detective-Sergeants Mitchell and West arrested in Mornington-crescent a man giving the name of John Greig on suspicion of being the wanted man. He was taken to Cannon-row Station and detained pending the arrival of officers from Dundee.

Source: Lloyd's Weekly News, December 28, 1913, Page 2

THE ALLEGED FORGED HALL MARKS.
PRISONERS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

At North London Police Court, on Tuesday, Solomon Solomons, 36, dealer in mock jewellery, of Chester Road, Upton Park; Daniel Curtis, 22, hawker, with no fixed abode; and Alfred Gould, 23, grocery dealer, of Commercial Road, East, were charged, on remand, before Mr. Fordham, with conspiring together to utter certain wares of base metal purporting to bear the marks of the Goldsmiths' Company of London.
Mr. Bodkin (with him Mr. Graham Campbell), instructed by Sir Walter Prideaux, prosecuted; Mr. C.V. Young defended Solomons; and Mr. J.S. Green, barrister, defended Gould.
It was alleged that the prisoners had defrauded a number of persons by asking them to buy genuine gold chains and rings, which they allowed to be tested and valued by a jeweller. The victim would generally offer a lower price than the amount asked, and the seller would take this opportunity of returning the jewellery to his pocket. Generally he came down to the price offered, but instead of the gold chain or ring being handed over an imitation in base metal and bearing forged hall marks would be palmed off on the purchaser.
Detective-inspector Collins, J division, produced a number of dies with which it was alleged the marks were forged. He obtained them from a working jeweller whose position was under consideration.
Detective Mitchell and Sergeants Handley and Savage also gave evidence as to arresting the prisoners and the finding of genuine and base metal chains and rings bearing forged marks and a number of base metal chains which were not marked. On Curtis were found several Bank of Engraving notes.
Albert Newcomb, assistant to Mr. Thomas Layman, pawnbroker, of 31, Whitechapel Road, deposed to selling to Gould a single stone diamond ring and an 18 carat gold chain, and it was alleged that it was these articles which had been copied in base metal.
Mr. Herbert William Robinson, principal officer in the assay office of the Goldsmiths' Company of London, gave some interesting details as to the hall marking of gold. English gold wares were marked in London, Chester, and Birmingham. The London mark consisted of a leopard's head, the letter date mark, the crown, and figures representing the standard of the metal (15 or 18). The crown and 18 go together on 18ct. gold articles. The marks were made by means of punches, some by hand and some by press.
Rings as a rule were stamped in strips, and joined after the marking. When gold articles were finished it sometimes happened that the marks were not very clear, having lost some of their sharpness in the making up, and finishing. Rings of 18ct. always bore the four marks mentioned and the marker's name mark, which had to be impressed before the articles were brought to the hall. The order for rings was: - First, the crown, then 18 (the standard), then the leopard's head, and then the date letter. With regard to chains the custom was to mark every link except one with the crown and 18; on the one other link all four marks would appear. The witness had been through the base metal rings and chains shown as exhibits in this case, and he found that marks had been used upon them in imitation of those of the Goldsmiths' Company. The 18 was very clear in all cases, but the rest of the marks were indistinct.
Mr. Fordham committed all three prisoners, who reserved their defence, for trial. He fixed the bail for Solomons at two in 1,000 pounds, or one in 2,000 pounds, which Solomons said he could find, and for Gould at two in 500 pounds, or one in 1,000 pounds. Curtis did not apply for bail.

Source: The Mercury, Saturday June 6, 1903, Page 5

TALISMANIC COAL. - John Clark was charged on remand, and Moses Solomon appeared in discharge of his bail, to answer the charge of being in the unlawful possession of a pair of blankets supposed to have been stolen.
Mr. Knight appeared for Solomon.
It will be remembered that on the 4th inst. John Davies and John Mitchell, two detective officers of the City police force, saw the two defendants in Harrow-alley, Clark carrying a parcel, in which was a pair of blankets. He gave it to Solomon, and they went into a tool shop; they came out again, and Solomon gave the parcel back to Clark, who left him. After going some distance he returned to Solomon, and gave him the parcel. Solomon took something from his trousers pocket and gave it to Clark, and then they both went to a public-house. The officers entered directly afterwards, and saw the blankets on a table. Solomon said that he had them from Clark and gave 5s. for them, which he demanded back from that prisoner. Clark gave him back the two half-crowns, and then stated that he bought them from a man and woman on London Bridge, but he did not know how much he gave for them. Detective Mitchell found upon Solomon a purse containing a piece of coal, which to his knowledge receivers carried about with them to show to thieves; the meaning of which was that it was a bond of friendship between them and an assurance that the receiver would not betray the thief.
Mr. Knight having cross-examined Davies,
Alderman Finnis said that as far as Solomon was concerned there was nothing against him; but men who would buy bargains from men of such questionable character must put up with the inconvenience they were put to. The Alderman discharged Solomon and remanded Clark.
Solomon applied to have his piece of coal given back to him, as it was his property. The coal was given up to Solomon, and a crowd of Jews left the court.

Source: The Hour, Thursday September 11, 1873

CRIPPEN IN GAOL PREPARES TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE.
LONDON SOLICITOR, RETAINED BY FRIENDS, CABLES REMINDING HIM THAT SILENCE IS GOLDEN.

DISCOVERY OF LONDON CHEMISTS SUGGESTS BELLE ELMORE WAS VICTIM OF POISON.
BOARDER AT HILLDROP CRESCENT TELLS OF CRIPPEN'S SELF-CONTROL IN FREQUENT QUARRELS.

The necessary documents to secure the surrender to the British authorities of Dr. Crippen and Miss Le Neve are now on their way to Canada, and in the event of the prisoners not appealing against the order it is probable that they will appear before a London magistrate within three or four weeks.
A young German who some time ago lived for five months with the Crippens has given some interesting details of the home life at Hilldrop-crescent. According to him, Mrs. Crippen was literally bored to death by the monotony of housekeeping, and bitterly regretted having left the footlights.
He was absorbed in his business; she was lonely and dissatisfied. And the natural result appears to have been frequent bickerings and open quarrels.
It is now believed that the doctor has had more love affairs than has generally been known. Twelve years ago he was living in Toronto with a woman of charming manner, with oval face and black eyes, who is declared now to have been neither his first wife nor Belle Elmore. Inspector Dew is now at Niagara Falls, ostensibly for a holiday, but more likely, some think, to cover an investigation of Crippen's connections and movements in Toronto and Detroit.
Crippen's friends in London are organising a defence fund, and the defence is to be undertaken by Mr. Arthur Newton, the well-known London solicitor. Mr. Newton, however, cabled to Crippen stipulating that he shall keep absolute silence pending arrival in England, and answer no questions.
This condition he has accepted, though before the cable was despatched, the port was insistent in Canada that he had confessed. According to the statements - vouched for strongly on the part of the correspondents, but denied by Inspector Dew - Crippen said that he had a struggle with his wife, after which she was seized with a fatal illness; and, therefore, although he killed her, he was not a murderer.
One of the most startling discoveries has been that in January he purchased five grains of the drug known as hyoscin, of which even half a grain is a fatal dose. Professor Pepper, who is conducting an analysis of the gruesome remains found beneath the cellar floor at Hilldrop-crescent, has, of course, been informed of the discovery; but, unlike arsenic, etc., the poison is one for which there is no chemical test.
Despite the allegations against Crippen, Miss Le Neve still clings trustfully to him. This love element, indeed, provides one of the most pathetic and tragic sides of the story. Practically everyone acquits her of any knowledge of the crime, and she has cabled to her mother: -

"I had seen or heard nothing until the cruel blow fell."

To Mrs. Ginnett, president of the London Music Hall Ladies' Guild, of which Belle Elmore was treasurer, Miss Le Neve said: -

"I loved him deeply, and I still love him."

And to a lawyer who offered to defend her she replied: -

"My case is Crippen's. I will return to England to make my fight with him."

The detection and arrest of the fugitive couple and the police proceedings in Quebec are described on Page Thirteen.

WAS VICTIM POISONED?
Crippen Found to Have Purchased a Deadly Drug.

One of the most startling discoveries during the week in connection with the Crippen investigation is that in January Dr. Crippen bought five grains of hyoscine from a West End chemist, and signed the register of the purchase of poison in his own name.
One-half of a grain of hyoscine is a fatal dose. The question has thus been raised, "Was Belle Elmore poisoned?"
The purchase was made at the branch pharmacy of Messrs. Lewis and Burrows, Ltd., 108, New Oxford-street, where he was in the habit of making purchases two or three times a week, and in the space left for the purpose to which the poison was to be put he wrote, "For Munyon's."
As he was believed by the assistants to be a qualified medical man, no surprise was experienced at the purchase of so large a quantity of such a deadly poison, and it is only since the discovery in the cellar at Hilldrop-crescent that one of the assistants had the curiosity to examine the entries of Crippen's purchases. Information of the assistant's find was promptly sent to Scotland Yard and to Professor Pepper, who is in charge of the analysis of the remains of the dead woman.
The matter has unusual interest from the fact that up to the present there is no recorded case of this drug being used for felonious purposes.
Hyoscine is the active principle of the well-known vegetable drug called henbane. Both henbane and the alkaloid hysoscine are much used in medicine, but hyoscine, on account of its very poisonous properties, has for years been falling into disuse. The ordinary does of henbane is about five grains; that of hyoscine about one-two-hundredth of a grain.
It will be remembered that the murderer, Dr. Lamson, killed his boy brother-in-law by using aconite, for which there was no chemical test, and the difficulty of bringing the murder home to him was consequently very much more difficult than if he had employed arsenic or other well-known poisons.
In the case of hyoscine, the same difficulties would confront the investigator. There is no known chemical test by which its presence could certainly be demonstrated, and the only means open to the authorities would be that of isolating it from the stomach of the deceased person and of injecting it into one of the lower animals.

CRIPPEN'S PAYING GUEST.
Tells of Belle Elmore's Stinging Sarcasms in Quarrel with Her Husband.

An interesting account of life at Hilldrop-crescent, by a young German named Richard Ehrlich, who three years ago boarded for five months with the Crippens, was published on Friday in the "Petit Parisien."
He came to London, he says, in December, 1906, in order to perfect his English, and some friends suggested that he should go to the Crippens' house, where he could obtain board and lodging for 24s. a week. The Crippen couple had then been married about six years.
The new boarder gathered from Mrs. Crippen that her sole desire in life was to return to the stage. She admitted that she was bored to death at the routine of housekeeping, and bitterly regretted having abandoned the footlights. She explained that on her marriage the doctor made her promise never to return to the boards.
She emphasised the point that she did not take paying guests because of financial necessity, but merely to relieve the ennui which had followed upon the abandonment of her profession.
Ehrlich says that Mrs. Crippen delighted to live in an atmosphere of adulation. The doctor was a calm, industrious type of business man. At the house in Hilldrop-crescent they received very few friends. Mrs. Crippen's friends were nearly all theatrical folks, and her husband, having no love for these, by his orders the door was closed to them.
"So you may imagine," says Ehrlich, "what were the sentiments of the wife towards her husband. She often lost her temper, and there were frequent bickerings and open quarrels. On the other hand, the doctor never lost his temper, though his wife's reproaches were frequently unjustified. He always answered in a gentle tone, and was never rude to her."
Mr. Ehrlich adds that the husband must have possessed an extraordinary amount of self-control to endure his wife's stinging sarcasms for so long. Sometimes, at a particularly cruel attack on the part of Mrs. Crippen, he would clench and unclench his hands, struggling, always successfully, to maintain his self-control, though sometimes his lips were white with anger. He never uttered a threat of any sort in Ehrlich's hearing.
Ehrlich left Hilldrop-crescent in April, 1907. There were then two other German boarders, and he left because he thought that he did not get sufficient opportunities to speak English. He kept up friendly acquaintance, however, with his former hostess, and received five postcards from her since his return to France. In her last she wrote: -

Dear old Ehrlich, - Many thanks for pretty card. Awfully glad you are enjoying yourself. Do not get awfully fond of the nice girls. Expect my sister from America soon, about four weeks from now, so am very busy preparing for a good time, and expect to see you here while she is here. She is a jolly girl. Kindest thoughts from both. - Yours, CORA CRIPPEN.

IS IT HYPNOTISM?
Mother of Miss Le Neve Advances Theory of Crippen's Influence.

The news of the arrest of Crippen was conveyed to Mrs. Le Neve by a representative of "Lloyd's News."
When the message from Father Point was read to her she burst into tears.
"My poor daughter," she said. "She has never been out of my thoughts night or day since this terrible thing happened. I can think of nothing else.
"Her home is ever open to her. I have nothing much else to give her, but she can always have the consolation of a fond mother's love.
"For I am still confident of her innocence of the terrible crime which has been discovered. If she had known of the awful thing under the coal-cellar there, I am quite confident she would have shown her knowledge in some way.
"Ethel was always a girl who wore her heart on her sleeve. She was very impressionable, and I am convinced she was hypnotised by the man who took her away - I cannot bring myself to mention his name. If this had not been so, Ethel would never have dressed herself in boy's clothes. She had an instinctive horror of anything of this kind, and, indeed, some of her girl friends were inclined to call her prudish."
"Whatever may be said," she added, "I have faith in the little girl I have watched grow to womanhood."
The girl's father does not agree with the suggestions that have been made as to Crippen's magnetic personality. He thinks Crippen told her he was in trouble over his business, and that she, his confidential secretary, was also implicated. It was not magnetic influence but physical fear that made her go away.
Mr. Le Neve added: "I shall be glad when she is back again in England. Then I shall go away for a rest, for I have had no peace since this affair happened."
Miss Le Neve's brother-in-law said: "When all is over we shall be only too glad to have her back again with us to try and help her forget. It has blighted her life, and although she can never be the same girl again she has youth on her side, and in time to come the agonising thoughts that she must have will be assuaged. And we will do our utmost to help her start again in her life, which until quite recently was so full of promise and happiness."

CRIPPEN'S LOVE AFFAIRS.

It is now suggested that the woman with whom Crippen lived in Toronto twelve years ago was neither his first wife nor Belle Elmore.
It is said that she was a fashionably-dressed woman of about medium height, plump, with an oval face and black eyes, and with a peculiar charm of manner which made a great impression on those who met her and her husband during their residence in the city.
Those who knew Crippen and his wife well declare that the woman is not like the pictures either of the first wife or of Belle Elmore.

GIRL'S ACUTE DISTRESS.
"Leave Me Alone, God Knows I Have Had Trouble Enough."

STILL LOYAL TO CRIPPEN.

Miss Le Neve's position after the nerve-shattering experience of the arrest rapidly became more tolerable. she was taken from prison to Provincial Detective McCarthy's house in the suburb of St. Sauveur. Miss Le Neve became tranquil in mind after she had had a long interview with Inspector Dew, and learned of the public sympathy which is extended to her. The inspector, after his interview, declared his belief in the secretary-typist's innocence.
Miss Le Neve was a shattered woman when she came off the Montrose, and she remained for some time in a state of great distress. The cablegrams from her mother deeply affected her, and came in the nature of shock upon shock.
She was suffering from nervous prostration when on Monday she left the house in Parliament Buildings, where she had been cared for since her landing, and was driven to the City Gaol. She was not then placed in a cell like Crippen, but in the hospital.
Chief Constable McCarthy quickly secured a legal order for her detention at his own house, where she stayed until Wednesday, when she was removed to the provincial penitentiary, where Crippen is confined.
"If there was anything done in London," cried Ethel Le Neve to Mrs. Phillips, matron of the provincial prison. "I never knew it."
This, despite the avalanche of cable messages from her parents, and the prayers and pleas of the judges and police, was all that could be wrung from Crippen's fellow-prisoner. Shocked and distracted as she may be, the girl who fled from London to certain disgrace with the man accused of the murder of his wife, Belle Elmore, still remains loyal to him in his distant cell.
Upon receiving an offer of 50 pounds from a London daily newspaper for a story of her flight with Crippen and her knowledge of him, she said plaintively: "Oh, why can't people leave me alone! God knows I have had trouble enough. I will tell nothing to anyone."

WHY SHE RAN AWAY.
"I Loved Dr. Crippen Deeply, and I Still Love Him."

While in prison Miss Le Neve has had an important interview with Mrs. Ginnett.
Mrs. Ginnett is the president of the London Music Hall Ladies' Guild, of which Belle Elmore was treasurer. It was Mrs. Ginnett who, on Monday, confronted Crippen in court and upbraided him "for the murder of his wife."
Le Neve was willing to see Mrs. Ginnett, but she made no promise of being communicative, and, as a matter of fact, declined absolutely to make any mention of the crime for which Crippen is wanted, or of Crippen himself in connection with the murder.
"Have you not had cables from your father and mother, advising you to tell all you know about this matter?" asked Mrs. Ginnett.
"Yes," said the girl. "I have had three telegrams from my people begging me to tell everything."
"Well, do you intend to follow their advice?"
At this question the girl turned sullen and refused to reply.
"Why did you adopt a boy's disguise?"
There was no answer to this question until Mrs. Ginnett pressed her to explain, then she said:
"It was Dr. Crippen's suggestion that I should do so."
"Did he give you any reason for this?"
"No. He declined to say why he wanted me to do it when I asked him. He told me rather roughly to cut my hair," and then warming to Mrs. Ginnett's apparent sympathy, she continued, "That was one of my first causes of suspicion."
"Did you cut your own hair?"
"No; Dr. Crippen cut it for me."
"Won't you tell me why you came away with Dr. Crippen?" In answer to this question the girl responded, "I loved him deeply, and I still love him."
To every other question which led up to the crime Le Neve presented a stolid and sullen front.
Mrs. Ginnett told the "Daily Chronicle's" special correspondent on Wednesday that she was not allowed to question Miss Le Neve in her interview as to her marriage with Crippen. It appears that the authorities do not wish this question to be raised, at present at any rate.

MISS LE NEVE TO HER SISTER.

The first news from Miss Le Neve reached London on Wednesday. It came in a cable from Quebec to her sister in North London. It was this sister on whom Miss Le Neve called hurriedly on the Saturday she fled from Hilldrop-crescent with Crippen.
Immediately this married sister had definite news of Miss Le Neve's presence on the Montrose she cabled to her, saying that her husband and herself would see to the defence, and would provide a home for her at the right time. She added: -

You have everything to gain by full explanation. Everyone here certain of your innocence.

It was sent to Miss Le Neve early on Saturday, c.o. Inspector Dew, who was then awaiting the arrival of the fugitives at Father Point. On Wednesday the following cable in reply was received: -

Quebec, Aug. 3, 2:14 p.m.
I had seen or heard nothing until the cruel blow fell.
Am returning home. - ETHEL.

CRIPPEN IN PRISON.
Principally Occupied in Reading Devotional Books.

"Morose, nervous, and silent," is the account given of Crippen as he lies in prison. He spends his time, it is said, in reading devotional books, such as "The Lives of the Saints," all he can obtain in prison.
The special correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says: - "When I saw him in the City Gaol Crippen was snugly seated on a wooden chair, and was reading either "The Lives of the Saints" or "The Annals of an Eventful Life" - I can't say which, because the correspondents in Canada are not allowed to interview prisoners, and I only saw him by sheer accident - but both works have been lent to him, and he is reading one or the other. He sleeps at night in a cell under constant observation, but it is small and not very comfortable, so he is allowed during the day to sit in the vestibule in charge of a warder, and there I had a distinct peep at him today. He still wears the shabby brown suit in which he landed from the Montrose."
"Dr." Crippen was on Tuesday permitted to receive the first message addressed to him from outside since his arrest. It was an invitation to make a public statement, and his reply was simply "No."
The police held up their hands in amazement at the very idea of a newspaper interview, but Judge Angers authorised the prison governor, Mr. Joseph Morin, to visit the prisoner in his cell and give him a verbal message asking him if he would make a public statement.

Shunned by Evildoers.

The magistrate imposed the terms that anything which "Dr." Crippen might say should be put by him into writing and submitted to the court before being given out.
Mr. Morin found the prisoner in the same silent and morose state which he has preserved since his arrest. He was sitting on the edge of his bed and did not look up as his visitor explained his mission.
"Is there anything you wish to say?" said Mr. Morin.
The emphatic negative which Crippen snapped out left no room for doubt, and Mr. Morin withdrew.
Crippen is permitted only to walk in the courtyard, which is partly visible from the street, and every day a large crowd gathers outside, hoping to get a glimpse of him. The first time this happened he warily came out of the door of the prison, and, seeing the crowd, hastily pulled his cap over his eyes. But he slouched across the yard in full view of the spectators.
He prefers to take his exercise when the yard is deserted, but this is not always possible. His reason is that the other prisoners shun him, and this he resents. He is not allowed to converse with any one, but the attitude of hostility of the other prisoners towards him is unmistakable.
The prisoner is constantly asking for the newspapers, and is anxious to know what is going on in the outside world, but his wishes in this respect are not gratified.
Mr. Morin says he has been informed that he can have his meals sent in to him from the best hotels in the city if he can pay for them, otherwise he must be satisfied with prison fare, which he does not like.
The prisoner's condition is improving rapidly, and his spirits are good.
Crippen was much changed in appearance by the end of his first week. A growth of his beard has not improved his looks, and he is not allowed to shave. The precautions taken against the possibility of suicide are so strict that he is not even trusted in the hands of the gaol barber.
Suddenly his guards were doubled, for what purpose cannot be learned. The governor refuses any explanation of this act, except that it has been done at the suggestion of Inspector Dew.

Not a Drug Victim.

That he should spend his time composedly reading or walking, the warders hold, completely refutes the story that Crippen was addicted to the use of drugs. If he had been a victim of this habit the enforced deprivation of the usual stimulants would quickly manifest itself in his manner, and the prison officials think that it is only fair to the prisoner to let it be known that he has been misrepresented in this particular.
When on Wednesday a local attorney visited the gaol and caused a message to be brought to Dr. Crippen, offering his services free, Crippen sent back an immediate refusal, and intimated to the gaoler who brought in the offer that he had a lawyer in London, and would not accept legal assistance from anybody in Canada. He added, "My fight will not be made here. It will be made on the other side."
Crippen called out to his guard on Thursday afternoon and said that he wished he could be given more books, and, after a search, they brought him the Bishop of London's "Joy in God." Crippen looked the book very carefully over, and said, "It's a pretty book, but it is not just what I am requiring at present."
All books are censored before being given to Crippen. While he is nominally a Roman Catholic, he does not ask for any administrations of the Church. It is believed that his family were originally French Canadians.
The French papers of Quebec have been ferreting out his descent, and have decided upon the theory that a French Canadian named Crepen settled in the State of Michigan, and under American influences changed his name to Crippen.

CRIPPEN'S FATHER COLLAPSES.

Mr. M. Crippen, the father of the arrested man, who is now at Los Angeles, broke down completely when spoken to on the subject of the case.
His son, he says, has no money, and it is difficult to see how he can obtain the assistance he should properly have. Mr. Crippen is emphatic in his belief that his son is innocent of the dreadful charges made against him.

RETURN TO ENGLAND.
Depositions Sent to Canada in Charge of Detective.

HEARING AT BOW STREET.

Over a dozen witnesses who are due to be called at the trial attended the Bow Street Police
Court on Wednesday to give their sworn statements in the presence of Detective-Sergeant Mitchell, the officer chosen to send the documents to Canada.
Governor Morin says the Canadian authorities expect to get the pair off to England by Aug. 18 or Aug. 19.
If Crippen and Le Neve do not arrive then, it may be expected to be brought before the English police magistrate within two and four weeks.
In the meantime arrangements have been made in England for the police proceedings. It is expected that the inquest on the 15th inst. will be adjourned by Dr. Danford Thomas to give Crippen an opportunity, if he is not being represented.
A case originating in Hilldrop-crescent would, under ordinary circumstances will dealt with at the North London Police Court.
On Tuesday, however Mr. Williamson, of the Treasury, has had a consultation with Sir Albert de , chief magistrate of the metropolis's Bow-street, with the object of making arrangements for the police court proceedings to be conducted there. This has since been achieved.
Detective-Sergeant Mitchell, leaving from Liverpool for Quebec with the depositions, boarded the Pacific liner Lake Manitoba with a long leather portfolio in which held precious documents.
The portfolio had never left his sight during the journey from Euston to Liverpool.
The detective is accompanied by Mrs. Stone and Miss Foster, wardresses of Holloway Prison, who will take charge of Miss Le Neve on the journey back to England. Both women were in ordinary travelling dress. The Lake Manitoba is due to reach Quebec Sunday next week - Aug. 14

CRIPPEN ACCEPTS LEGAL AID.
Well-Known London Solicitor Engaged by Friends to Conduct the Defence.

Active steps are already being taken for Crippen's defence.
Mr. Arthur Newton, a well-known London solicitor, whom the prisoner's friends have engaged, has applied to the Public Prosecutor for permission to visit the house in Hilldrop-crescent; for copies of the witness' depositions which Sergeant Mitchell is taking to Canada, and for permission for an independent medical man to examine the remains found in the cellar.
"It is somewhat early to discuss the case, and my opinion of it," Mr. Newton says, "but I am very curious to know what evidence there is that a murder has been committed."
Directly the arrangements had been made that Mr. Newton should undertake the defence he cabled to Dr. Crippen: -

Dr. Crippen, care of Inspector Dew, Quebec
- Your friends desire me to defend you, and will pay the necessary expenses. I will undertake your defence, but you must promise to keep absolute silence, answer no questions, and offer no resistance to the proceedings for extradition. Reply confirming, as a good deal must be done at once.
(Signed) ARTHUR NEWTON, Solicitor.

To this message the prisoner replied: -

Accept your offer. Secrecy will be observed.

A distinct element of mystery attaches to the reports that Dr. Crippen has confessed. According to the journalists in Quebec he said: -

It is quite true. I did kill my wife, but it was a mistake that I made in trying to hide. We should not have done this. I meant it for the best, though. I will say nothing until I return to England, and then I shall prove that though I killed my wife I am not a murderer. I make this confession in order to free Miss Le Neve from suspicion. She, poor girl, knew absolutely nothing of my wife's disappearance except what I have told her.

It is variously reported that Crippen stated that he had a scuffle with his wife, after which she was seized with a fatal illness, and he is also said to have explained that her death was purely accidental.
Inspector Dew, however, declares positively that there has been no confession whatever, nor any statement which could be so regarded.
Miss Le Neve continues to be reluctant to receive callers. A clergyman of the Church of England visited the gaol and asked to be allowed to see her, but she declined to receive him.

EXPECTS TO CLEAR HIMSELF.

Although the two prisoners have been remanded for fifteen days, the law requires them to be produced every eight days, and they will accordingly make a formal appearance before the court on Monday.
Judge Augers, before whom the prisoners appeared last Monday, says: - "I have carefully studied Crippen's character and his actions, and I believe that he anticipates clearing himself. He will doubtless make a very hard fight."

INSPECTOR DEW'S WORRIES.

Inspector Dew yesterday went on a holiday to the Niagara Falls. He is tired, he says, of the constant queries of the reporters, and has, therefore, stolen away from Quebec, where his life was made burdensome by the newspaper men.

Source: Lloyd's Weekly News, August 7, 1910, Page 4