The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-02-22

81 can scarcely believe my own
senses. Godfrey agreed But / saw
the Frenchman lying here this after
noon: and now here's Vantine."
Hughes turned back to the body
again. and looked long and earnestly
at the injured hand.
What sort of instrument made this
wound. would you say. AIR. Godfrey
ne questioned at last
"a sharp instrument with two prongs.
Ny theory Is that the prongs are hOI
low. ike 3 hypodermic needle and
leave drop or two of poison at the
bottom OF the wound. You see. vein
has been cut"
YES" Hughes assented ''Tt 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 so
quickly?" Hughes inquired.
Godfrey looked at him strangely.
lyon yourself mentioned Florence a
moment ago." he said. "You meant.
suppose. that such a poison did at one
time exist thereT'
Something of the sort. perhaps"
agreed Hughes
well. the poison that existed in
Florence Ave centuries ago exists here
today There's the proof of It." and
Godfrey pointed to the body.
"Buf what sort OF devilish inStru
ment Ia it?' cried Hughes. his nerves
giving way for an instant his voice
mounting shrilly above all. who
wieIds itT' Then he shook himself
together.
There Is something supernatural
about It, something | can't understand.
How does II happen that each Of the
victims is struck on the right hand?
Why not on the left hand? Why the
hand at an?"
Godfrey answered with despairing
shrug
THAT is what we've got to find out"
ne said
1--WE shall have to call in the police
suggested Hughes. Maybe they can
solve tt
Godfrey smiled. a little skeptical
smile. quickly suppressed.
AT least they will have to be given
the chance be agreed. "ShaIl / at
tend to itT'
eyes" said Hughes. ''and you would
better do 1t right away. The sooner
they get here the better"
Every WELL" assented Godfrey. and
left the room.
Hughes sat down. heavily on the
couch near the window and mopped
ais face again with a shaking hand.
That was q trying half hour. Hughes
sat on the couch. breathing hea Willy.
staring at the door. AS for me. | was
thinking OF my dead friend. | remem-
bered Philip vantine as l had always
known him-a kindly, witty. Christian
gentleman That such . man should
be killed like this. struck down by a
mysterious assassin, armed with a pol
soned weaponl
woman! But why should she have
chosen Philip Vantine of all men for
her vfctim-Philip Vantine. who had
never injured any woman? And then
| paused. for | realized that / knew
nothing Of yantine except what he
know. And then I shrank from the
thought Must we probe that secret2
Must we compel a man TO betray his
master9
The door opened and Godfrey came
in. This time be was not alone. Sim
monds and Goldberger followed him.
and their faces showed that they were
as sha ken and nOnplused as |. There
was a third man with them whom
did not know. but | soon found out
that Il 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 CHANGING |
at his watch now and then. He seem
ed to be waiting for some one, but not |
until twenty minutes later did I sus- !
pect who It was. Then the door open |
ed again to admit a short. heavy act |
man. with norid face. stubbly black !