The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-15
CHAPTER IL.

Hello, this is Poe" he said. on getting
the doctor at the other end of the wire.
Found out for sure?"
Yes, no doubt at all. Dilute hydrocy-
anic acid. l used the ammoriaferrous
sulphate test. Probably not more than
three grains absorbed. / should say"
came the answer.
DO you think he drank it,"
No. There was no odor of it about
his mouth, but the blood shows 1t. I
can't imagine how it was introduced.
There wasn't a scratch on his body. as !
told you"
Delay reporting II for two hours, will
you? 1t may save some trouble to several
people
On your say-so, of course, Poe. Got
anything to work on?'
Not much SO far. Iets>see, it's about
3 o'clock now. Say $50. Be at home
them"
Yes. Come to dinner"
IF feel / can finish and turn over the
right person without outside help / will
otherwise I'll phone you. Good-by."
Poe hung up the receiver and left the
booth. stopping to buy a half dozen
orange wood sticks at the counter.
While the druggist was waiting on him
Poe asked il there was a manicure shop
in the neighborhood.
Miss Moquin's on the opposite corner"
the druggist nodded through his window.
The newsstand is right in front of L
there"
Il see. Thanks The name sounds
French" he raised his brows question
ingly.
Il imagine she is But I don't know.
She doesn't come in here
His line of inquiry being promptly cut
off. Christopher Poe slipped his purchase
into side rarkaf and strollad a,tf
He sauntered across the street, opening
the package in his pocket as he went and
purposely jabbing himself in the cuticle
of the forefinger with one of the sharp
sticks just before entering the manicure
parlor, which consisted of a single small
room with a petite show case of hair
goods and toilet articles in front and
Japanese screen across one corner, con-
cealing a nook in which Miss Mignon Mo-
quin held and manicured hands, gentle
mems preferred.
She stood behind her showcase as Poe
entered. radiant little French woman.
coqtette with a sprightly. fascinating
manner
What can / do for monsieur" she
said prettily, tripping forward and gaz-
ing up into his face with ingenious con-
Germ.
I'm needing a manicure badly, I
guess. ne said, exhiDiting his hand, none
too soft and well cared for.
''Oh, monsieur" she gasped fetchipeiy,
you do not treat re little nails with
respect. You have a hurt. too" She
gazed at the finger tips with intimate
concern. bringing them instinc-
lively toward her lips as though she
would kiss the bruise; then letting them
drop and starting back consciously,
hlushing in practical alarm.
"Ah, monsieur, too busy. suppose"
she said. making her mouth into a pretty
little questioning zero and leaning toward
his Come, sit down. The nails shall
soon be better. they shall recover She
led him gently by the arm. She helped
him sit down as though she were placing
an eggshell china tea cup on . narrow
plate. rack in the dining-room. Now.
she said, taking his hand and
giving It a gentle, concerned pressure
that Poe simulated having succumbed to
her charm and breathed softly. you
have nice. comfortable little place
here"
"oh, sir. you are 50 kind" she said, |
forgetting her French for the moment in
TO blush deiicately. like q |
pink poppy petal
Can YOU put these nails back In |
shapeT" he asked. You've quite