Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-08-29

thing was carefully locked. Suddenly
my eye caught sight Of his dinner Jack.
ct, which was hanging up behind the
door. remembered being told that our
friend from South America only
smoked cigars after dinner in England
and 1t struck me he might have left his
case in his pocket.
a search In the pocket proved was
right and the next moment had in my
hand an elegant little silver case con-
tanning seven cigars. I tumblcd them
out on the toilet and examined them.
| AS far as could make out they were
exactly like the one had taken up to
town. Suddenly hand was on the
door.
Would you mind my coming in"
said a voice. II just want to change
my jacket"
He spoke with his usual drawl, but
thought there was just shade Of
anxiety In his voice.
"Ccrtainly," I said, putting the cigars
back and keeping up running fire of
talk all the time.
You are not going to dress, are you"
I said.
"Oh, no; but hate these frock coats
"A dinner jacket Is much more comfort.
able"
I was washing my hands. and stood
In front Of the mirror, so that could
watch him. I noticed that as soon as
he had changed his coat he opened his
cigar case and as well as could Judge
from the expression on his face, count.
ed them.
began to feel profoundly interested,
and determined to watch Mr.. Harry
and his cigars closely. Dinner was
rather a dull affair. There were no
ladies' present and everybody was nat.
urally depressed by the awful occur.
! renee Of the previous night. AS soon
as the dessert was put on We began to
smoke. and was on the lookout for
the appearance of the silver case.
1t was soon produced and offered to
his right-hand ncighbor. who. however,
declined 1t. prcfcrring to smoke a cigar.
cite. A little satirical smile fickercd
across Harry Kincaid's face. lie &C.
lccte1 one for himself and lighted It..
The conversation became general and Il
little brighter. The wine was passed
| around the table Hospitality. ana all
began to look as II they were prepared
| to meet the troubles of the world with
n cheerful resignation.
suddenly Harry Kincaid gave a loud
gronn and staggered to his feet.
Good heavens! i Help! Bran.
dyw
Before anyone could move he snatch.
| cd his cigar case out Of his pocket and
| hurled 1t across the room toward the
fire. 1t struck glass epcrgne In tho
center OF the table ana broke 1t. Then
he fell to the ground. struggling madly.
with the most horrible expression Of
| fcnr and malice on his face ever saw
In his fall he seized the tablcclOth and
dragged nearly everything or the table,
We all sprang to our feet and the doc.
tor rushed to his side. But 1t was too
late. lie was dead.
cannot describe the horror OF the
scene. 1t didn't last more than min
ute, and We stared Mt one another
| against. The same thought was In
cvcryone's mind. Hc had died In Just
the same way that Mr.. Clavcll died the
night before, only. being n younger
man, tho struggle had been moro In.
tense.
at once picked up the cigar case.
which was lying on the hcarthrug. and
In tho presence Of everyone turned out
tho contents. I noticed that one Of the
six cigars was about an eighth Of an
inch shorter than the rest. cut II open
down the center. In the middle there
was little blue substance about the
size Of pen. Then we opened the 9th.
or Ave. They were ordinary cigars.
II was easy to sec what had happened.
In putting the cigars back into the case
] must have rearrnnged them and the
villain had Intentionally smoked one
which he had prepared for someone
else. took the lump Of blue poison to
the specialist whom had consulted In
the morning.
After some weeks I had this letter
from him:
My Dear Mr.. Somcrs: have carefully
examined the blue substance which you
submitted to me some little time ago, and
have also shown II to the most eminent
chemist Of my acquaintance. We arc
bound to confess We can tell you nothing
about II. 1t contains drugs which are
| quito unknown to modern science, and
can only think that Harry Kincaid hal
picked up some Hcndlsh skill from the
South Americana which Is very happily
| quite unknown In Europe. 1t Is most
| fortunate thing that he fell into his own
| trap. rs feel quite sure that otherwise
It would have been impossible to bring
him to justice. Believe me to he yours
| faithfully. GIBBS DALTON.
It'd Bits.