Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-02-19

Godfrey into thr aUtrroum. | heard
Godfrey telling hjm all he knew, while
Hughes li>teNed witu jueyeduIouS face.
But its absurd. you know" he pro-
tested, when Godfrey had finished.
Things like this don't happen here in
New York. In Florence. perhaps, in
the middle ages; but not here in the
twentieth century"
Il can scarcely believe my own
senses" Godfrey agreed "Rut | saw
the Frenchman lying here this after
noon; and now here's Nautine,"
Hughes turned back to the body
again, and looked long and earnestly
ut the injured hand
What sort OF instrument made this
wound. would YOU say. Mr. Godfrcy?'
he questioned ut last.
"A sharp Instrument with two pvongS.
My theory is that the prougs are hol
low. like Il hypodcrmic needle and
leave a drop or two of poison ut the
bottom of the wound You see. Il vein
has been cut"
Yes, Hughes assented at would
scarcely be possible to pierce the hand
hove without striking vein. One Of
the prongS would he 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 ut him strangely.
You yourself mentioned Florence y
moment ago" he said You meant |
suppose, that such a poison did NJ one
time exist thcrc|
Something Of the sort, perhaps, '
agreed Hughes
We'll, 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 dcvilish instru
meut is it," cried Hughes, his nerves
giving way for an instant, his voice
mounting shrilly. above all. who
yields it," Then he 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 ana"
Godfrey answered with despairing
shrug
That is what we've got to find out, 7"
he said
I'VE shall have TO call in the police. :"
suggested Hughes Maybe they can
solve it.
Godfrey smiled, little skeptical
smile, quickly suppressed.
AT least they will have to be given
the chance" he agreed. "Shall ! at
tend to it?'
Yes" said Hughes. land 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 moppcd
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 n man should
be killed like this, struck down by Il
mysterious assassin. armed with poi
Soned weapon,
A 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 | 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 a man to betray his
master?
The door opened and Godfrey came
in. This time he was not alone. Sim
monds and GoIdbergcr followed him
and their faces showed that they We're
as shaken and nonplused as There
was third man with them whom !
did not know. but | soon found out
that it was Freylinghuisen, the roro
ner's physician
Instead of getting to work. Gold
berger walked up and down. pulling i'm
patiently AT his muStachc and Glanrlng
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 it was Then the door open
ed again to admit short. heavy set
man, with ford face. stubbly black
mustache and little. close set eyes, pre-
ternaturally bright.
This is Mr. Lester Commissioner
Grady" said Goldberger and realized
that the chief Of the detective bureau
had come up from headquarters to
take personal charge Of the case Mr.
Lester is Mr. Vantine's attorney" the
coroner added. in explanation.
Glad to know you. Mr. Lester" said
Grady