The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-27
TheGoddess ofMurder
Evening Story for the Fannily Circle

This statue comes from a famous
temple in Benares, where thousands
bowed before it on every feast day,
and each time some half dozen
would drop dead where they stood.
Heart disease and auto-suggestion,
of course. l don't believe in any
supernatural rubbish. There was
so much rioting that the govern
ment unofficially expressed the
wish to me that somebody would
steal it, and so-well, here it is
now"
The priests suspected?"
THE damned rascals followed me
to England, sir. Tried to break
into my house twice. Only last
month l caught one right in this
loom, and he's now awaiting trial
for burglary. They said my man
was confederate. but nothing will
convince me of that. Well, sir,
loaned the goddess to the British
museum. and every time an East
lndiaman arrived in port those
black ruffians would hurry there
and worship it. Three men-En-
acknowledged dead in front of
1t. That scared the authorities, and
they sent it back to me with their
compliments. And now my brother
drops dead in his tracks when he
comes in to look at it,
The colonel's voice broke. He
started from his seat and began
pacing the floor James stopped
suddenly and in rising knocked
into the colonel. Both fell to the
floor.
Il really beg pardon, sir" said
James. I'm afraid | hurt YOU" He
helped him to rise. please sit
down while l send for your man.
"All right" gasped the colonel.
somewhat shaken, but no bully
ing, remember"
Inspector James crossed the
room and took his place beside the
goddess, Presently the Indian serv-
ant entered. He came forward and
halted, looking at the inspector
queerly. 3D.
Come here, please" said the in
spector, reckoning.
The servant stepped to the right
and began to advance. Inspector
James waved him back.
Come straight to me across the
floor" he said.
The man hesitated an instant.
and then began to pick his way in
a series of zig-zags. Once more the
inspector waved him away.
Come straight to me-" he cried.
He took piece of chalk from his
pocket and drew line across the
floor, Follow that line" he said
softly.
Beads of sweat stood out on the
Indians forehead. He glanced
round swiftly. The inspector had
drawn pistol. And suddenly, as
the colonel started up, the man
gave a wild cry and stumbled for
ward. reeled, threw up his hands,
and dropped. The colonel sprang
from his chair.
Dead said the inspector softly.
bending over the corpse. He raised
the foot. With an almost imper.
ceptible click minute needle of
steel came from the sole.
Il suspected how matters stood
from the first" explained the in
spector afterward. "A hollow
needle filled with deadly venom.
such as leaves no trace of poison
in the body, is placed upright in the
floor in front of the goddess of
murder. 1t Is secret known only
to the priests, OF course there are
fifty chances to one against its
being trodden on uoon single &C.
casion. But. sooner or later. the
day arrives. A spectator places the
sole of his foot squarely upon the
needle. as you were about to do
when | knocked into you-and YOU
know the result. Doubtless those
burglars placed the needle in your
floor with the object of sacrificing
to Kali and incidentally OF regain
ing the statue by the terror which
IL should inspire"