The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1914-06-10
ON STEVENSON

has been cut"
| Yes" Hughes assented "It would
scarcely be possible to pierce the hand
here without striking a vein. One of
the prongs would be sure to do it,"
! That's the reason there are two of
them, | fancy"
"But you are. of course, aware that
no poison exists which would act 80
qucklyT Hughes inquired
Godfrey looked at him strangely.
"You yourself mentioned Florence q
moment ago." re said. "You meant |
suppose. that such a poison did at one
time exist there?"
Something of the sort. perhaps"
agreed Hughes.
well. the poison that existed In
Florence FIVE centuries ago exists here
today. There's the proof of it." and
Godfrey pointed to the body.
But what sort of devilish instru-
ment Is it"' cried Hughes. his nerves
giving way for an instant. his voice
mounting shrilly. above all, who
Yields it?" Then be shook himself
together.
There Is something supernatural
about it. something can't understand.
How does it happen that each of the
victims is struck on the right hand?
Why not on the left hand? Why the
hand at all?"
Godfrey answered with a despairing
shrug
THAT is what we've got to find out"
he said.
1--WE shall have to call IN the police"
suggested Hughes Maybe they can
solve It."
Godfrey smiled, a little skepticaI
smile, quickly suppressed.
AT least they will have to be given
the chance" he agreed. "Shall at
tend to it?"
YES" said Hughes, "and you would
better do it right away. The sooner
they get here the better"
Very WE'LL" assented Godfrey, and
left the room.
Hughes sat down heavily on the
couch near the window and mopped
his face again with shaking hand.
That was trying half hour. Hughes
sat on the couch, breathing heavily.
staring at the floor. AS for me, was
thinking of my dead friend. remem-
bered Philip Vantine as had always
known him-a kindly. witty, Christian
gentleman. That such a man should
be killed like this, struck down by
mysterious assassin, armed with a poi
soned weaponl
4 woman! But why should she have
chosen Philip Vantine of all men for
her victim--Philip Vantine, who had
never injured any woman? And then
| paused, for l realized that knew
nothing of Vantine except what he
had chosen to tell me. Parks would
know. And then shrank from the
thought Must we probe that secret?
Must we compel man to betray his
master?
The door opened and Godfrey came
In. This time he was not alone. SIM
monds and Goldberger followed him,
and their faces showed that they were
as shaken and nonplused as l. There |
was a third man with them whom / !
did not know, but soon found out |
that it was Freylinghuisen, the coro-
ner's physician
Instead Of getting to work, Gold |
berger walked up and down, pulling i'm |
patiently at his mustache and glancing |
at his watch now and then. He seem
ed to be waiting for some one, but not |
until twenty minutes later did sus-
pect who 1t was. Then the door open
ed again to admit a short, heavy set |
man. with 1orid face, stubbly black |
mustache and little. close set eyes, pre-
ternaturally bright.
This is Mr.. Lester, Commissioners
Grady" said Goldberger. and realized |
that the chief Of the detective bureau
had come up from headquarters to
take personal charge Of the case. "BIr.
Lester is Mr.. Vantine's attorney" the
coroner added. in explanation.
"Glad to know you, Mr.. Lester" said
Grady shortly.
"And now, guess. we're ready to
begin" went on the coroner.
"Not quite" said Grady grimly.
Wen excuse all reporters frst," and
he looked across at Godfrey. his face
darkening.
felt my own face flushing and
started to protest. but Godfrey sIlenc-
cd me with little gesture.