October 7th: Someone else to be arrested?

The Western Mail, 7^th October, 1893.

The Bath Mystery.

Resumption of the Inquest.

Fresh Developments.

There is a rumour to the effect that the police hope shortly to make another arrest. The police, however, are extremely reticent on the point, and while they decline to deny the accuracy of the rumour they refuse to give any information. It is believed in some quarters that the police have made a startling discovery of some kind, and it has been stated that a sensational development may be shortly expected.

The inquest was resumed at Bathampton on Friday upon the body of Elizabeth Luke, alias Wilkie, which was found recently in a cave, and in connection with which a young man named Coombs is in custody charged with murdering Wilkie.

The Coroner at the outset asked the jury to banish from their minds altogether what had transpired at the police-court, as the two inquiries must be absolutely independent.

Mr. Titley, solicitor, watched the case on behalf of Coombs.

William Dill, re—called, and futher examined regarding the finding of the blood-stained cuffs, handkerchief, and a watch, said he kept the watch because he was looking out for a reward.

Mr Titley: Do you still adhere to the statement that you told the constable of the finding of the cuffs and handkerchief? Witness: Most emphatically. Two of them. Continuing,  he said he had never said he should be hanged over the case.

Frank Clark, who picked up a woman’s hat on the 7^th of August, 1891, said that on the previous Bank Holiday he saw a man at the rocks partly dressed. He said his clothes were stolen while he was bathing, and he should remain in the woods until dark.

Elsie Marguerite Kerry, daughter of Mrs Kerry, in whose service Wilkie was just before her disappearance, said she had addressed letters for the deceased to Arthur Stevenson Coombs. She could not identify the brooch found in Coombs’s bedroom as having belonged to the deceased.

The inquiry was adjourned till Wednesday.