The Purcell Papers, vol 2 | Page 5

question.
Sir Arthur was of course examined; his evidence was given with
clearness and unreserve, which seemed calculated to silence all
suspicion. He stated that, up to the day and night immediately
preceding the catastrophe, he had lost to a heavy amount, but that, at
their last sitting, he had not only won back his original loss, but
upwards of four thousand pounds in addition; in evidence of which he
produced an acknowledgment of debt to that amount in the handwriting
of the deceased, and bearing the date of the fatal night. He had
mentioned the circumstance to his lady, and in presence of some of the
domestics; which statement was supported by THEIR respective
evidence.
One of the jury shrewdly observed, that the circumstance of Mr.
Tisdall's having sustained so heavy a loss might have suggested to
some ill-minded persons accidentally hearing it, the plan of robbing
him, after having murdered him in such a manner as might make it
appear that he had committed suicide; a supposition which was strongly
supported by the razors having been found thus displaced, and removed
from their case. Two persons had probably been engaged in the attempt,
one watching by the sleeping man, and ready to strike him in case of
his awakening suddenly, while the other was procuring the razors and
employed in inflicting the fatal gash, so as to make it appear to have
been the act of the murdered man himself. It was said that while the
juror was making this suggestion Sir Arthur changed colour.
Nothing, however, like legal evidence appeared against him, and the
consequence was that the verdict was found against a person or persons
unknown; and for some time the matter was suffered to rest, until, after
about five months, my father received a letter from a person signing
himself Andrew Collis, and representing himself to be the cousin of the
deceased. This letter stated that Sir Arthur was likely to incur not
merely suspicion, but personal risk, unless he could account for certain
circumstances connected with the recent murder, and contained a copy
of a letter written by the deceased, and bearing date, the day of the
week, and of the month, upon the night of which the deed of blood had
been perpetrated. Tisdall's note ran as follows:
'DEAR COLLIS, 'I have had sharp work with Sir Arthur; he tried some

of his stale tricks, but soon found that I was Yorkshire too: it would not
do--you understand me. We went to the work like good ones, head,
heart and soul; and, in fact, since I came here, I have lost no time. I am
rather fagged, but I am sure to be well paid for my hardship; I never
want sleep so long as I can have the music of a dice-box, and
wherewithal to pay the piper. As I told you, he tried some of his queer
turns, but I foiled him like a man, and, in return, gave him more than he
could relish of the genuine DEAD KNOWLEDGE.
'In short, I have plucked the old baronet as never baronet was plucked
before; I have scarce left him the stump of a quill; I have got
promissory notes in his hand to the amount of--if you like round
numbers, say, thirty thousand pounds, safely deposited in my portable
strong- box, alias double-clasped pocket-book. I leave this ruinous old
rat-hole early on to- morrow, for two reasons--first, I do not want to
play with Sir Arthur deeper than I think his security, that is, his money,
or his money's worth, would warrant; and, secondly, because I am safer
a hundred miles from Sir Arthur than in the house with him. Look you,
my worthy, I tell you this between ourselves--I may be wrong, but, by
G--, I am as sure as that I am now living, that Sir A---- attempted to
poison me last night; so much for old friendship on both sides.
'When I won the last stake, a heavy one enough, my friend leant his
forehead upon his hands, and you'll laugh when I tell you that his head
literally smoked like a hot dumpling. I do not know whether his
agitation was produced by the plan which he had against me, or by his
having lost so heavily--though it must be allowed that he had reason to
be a little funked, whichever way his thoughts went; but he pulled the
bell, and ordered two bottles of champagne. While the fellow was
bringing them he drew out a promissory note to the full amount, which
he signed, and, as the man came in with the bottles and glasses, he
desired him to be off; he filled out a glass for me, and, while he thought
my eyes were off, for