Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-25

trace of emotion into the white pad face After
a moment he dropped on his knees beside the inert
body and examined the mouth and the finger marks
about the white throat
"Carbolic acid and stranguaton," he remarked
tersely to Detective Mallory, who leaning over,
watching him with something of hopeful eagerness
in his stolid face. The Thinking Machine glanced
past him to the manager of the house. Mr. Morey
Is a powerful, athletic man in appearance" he
asked.
'Oh, no. was the reply. He's short and slight;
only little larger than you are
The scientist squinted aggressvely at the manager
as if the description not quite what he expected
Then the slightly puzzled expression passed. "Oh,
l see," he remarked; played the piano This
was not a question; it statement.
Yes, a great DEAL, was the reply.
of course, unused the scientist abstractedly.
Perhaps Mrs Morey did not play at ALL"
II believe she told me she did not
The Thinking Machine, drew down the thin cloth
which had been thrown the body and glanced
at the left hand.
Dear me, dear mel" he exclaimed suddenly, and
he rose. Dear mel he repeated. That's the
He turned to the manager and the two elevator
boys. This is Mrs. Morey beyond any question:"
the answer chorus of affirmations accom-
panied by some startling facial expressions.
How many persons live in the building?"
"A hundred, | should say
There is great deal of passing to and fro, them
Certainly. 1t was rather unusual that few
persons passed in and out last night and this
ing and certainly Mrs Morey and her husband
were not among them if that's what YOU are irving
to find out
DR.. Prescott entered, followed by Hutchinson
straight to the body and drew the cloth down from
the face Dr. Prescott started back with exclama-
ton of establishment recognition.
There's doubt about it at all in your mnd?"
inquired the scientist.
Not the slightest, replied DR.. Prescott posi-
lively. -" 1t is the same woman
Yet, look herei'
With quick movement The Thinking Machine
drew down the cloth still DR.. Prescott to-
gether with those who had idea of what to ex-
pect, peered down at the body. After one glance
the surgeon dropped on his knees and examined
closely the dead left hand The forefnger was off
at the first joint. DR.. Prescott stared ncreduously
After moment his eyes left the manned hand and
settled again on her face.
Il have seen never dreamed of such
startling" he began.
That settles it all, of course interrupted The
Thinking Machine. 1T solves and proves the
problem at once. Now, Mr. Mallory, if we can go
to your office or some place where we shall be
But who killed herr" demanded the detective
abruptly
Il have photograph of her murderer in my
pocket returned The Thinking Machine; ALSO
a photograph of an accomplish
Detective Mallory, DR.. Prescott, The Thinking
Machine, Hutchinson Hatch, and the apartment
house physician were seated in the front room of
the Morey apartments with all doors closed against
prying, nquisitive eyes At the scientists request
DR.. Prescott repeated the circumstances leading up
to the removal of woman's left forefnger, and
there The Thinking Machine took up the story
he declared ha Wer have ho whom Ss
finger cut off 1t instantly suggested three, four,
five, Dozen possibilities. Of course only one, or
possibly two in combination could be true. There
fore, which one? A little logic now to prove that
two and two always make four-not sometimes,
but all the time.
Naturally the first suppostion was insanity We
pass that absurd on its face. Then disease a
faint of leprosy perhaps, which had shown the
left forehnger. l tested for that, and that
eliminated. Three strong reasons for desiring the
finger off either of which is probable, remained.
The fact that the woman was English unmistak-