The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1915-09-02

Poe put in softly, adding in casual
tone, Have they found yet what kind
of poison was used?"
~Poison!" Miss Riggs jumped to her
feet, drew her arms down taut in an
effort at self-control, her face went
dead white, and she glanced quickly
from Mrs Groves to Poe, both watch
ing her keenly.
Well, what kind of poison do they
think it was. and who do you think did
| it?' she asked in a dry voice, each
| word an effort
"Oh, 1t hasn't gone that far" said
| the banker in concerned tone. 81
learned of it from friend, and stopped
to see Doctor Robinson before / came
| here. He was making q test Of
| the blood; said as far as he'd gone all
indications pointed to prussic acid"
"Prussic acid!" cried Miss Riggs,
and Mrs. Groves lowered closer, look
/ ing from one to the other with awed,
| hollow eyes.
| Yes, three grains OF which, less
than drop, absorbed by the blood will
cause DEATH" said Poe calmly, his eyes
on the carpet, though he saw Miss
Riggs glance furtively at Mrs. Groves
| and her expression grow hard.
| Then Miss Moquin disliked being
cut out of the will?" She forced
/ laugh.
"You mean you think She"
EITHER Miss Moquin or his nurse"
She pointed an unsteady finger at Mrs.
Groves
ooh, I'm sure you're quite too
wrought up by the announcement
made: l should have been more
thoughtful" There was shrewdness in
Poe's tone.
Mrs. Groves put timid hand on his
arm, and asked TREMENDOUSLY:
who do you think did it, Mr. Poe?"
"My dear lady, only wish knew"
said Poe vibrantly, adding, 1--WE all
wish we knew, don't we, Miss Riggs?"
She replied sullenly:
| 81 don't care who pois-how Boudi-
not died, only if that little French
manicure did it it would confirm my
opinion of her."
Where is her placer" asked Poe
casually. Is she near here?"
ASK Mrs. Groves; she generally
evasively, dropping her eyes sullenly
| as Poe looked at her.
| mot two blocks away, just at the
| corner, on Broadway" replied Mrs.
/ Groves with eager promptness.
Poe picked Zip his hat, saying, IF /
can do anything, you will feel free to
call on me, won't YOU Miss Riggs"
| The pinch-nosed, aristocratic woman
rose, and fixed her beadlike eyes on
| him.
There won't be anything" she said
decidedly ~Boudinot will be buried at
once, and I shall take my money and
go to Europe to live the rest of my
| life"
II hope you may" said the banker.
| bowling.
why shouldn't II"
| ooh, the state might make in
quiries," he turned to explain, rthat is,
if Boudinot was really poisoned. That
might detain YOU"
Il don't see how they could detain
mel" she cried. Why, wasn't even
here when he died"
But you hadn't left home more than
an hour or so before; when the state
| makes an inquiry, it is apt to want TO
keep track OF everybody Immediately
! concerned, but hope IL there is an in
mill nf $wa
you or Mrs. Groves"
AS he stepped into the hall, Mrs.
Groves lowered solicitously near, and
asked in an awed whisper:
Would you like to see the body?"
mot now; later, If I-still, rather
think | would" Christopher Poe
changed his mind abruptly, and step
ped into the room.
AS Doctor Robinson had already told
him, there was not single bodily in
dication of how Boudinot Riggs had
died; not bruise, not a scratch.
While Mrs. Groves answered call to
another part of the house, Poe made
a hasty but minute examination of the
exposed skin. finding but little on
which to base vague theory FORMING
in his mind.
Then, a worried look expressing it.
self in the two thoughtful grooves
joining his nostrils with the corners OF
his lips, he left the house abruptly,
and crossed to Broadway, where, from
booth in corner drug store, he
called up his friend Doctor Robinson,
with whom he sometimes worked.
Hello, this Ia Poe" he said, on get
ting the doctor at the other end of the
wire. Found out for sure?"
Eyes, no doubt at all. Dilute hydro
cyanic acid. / used the ammonia-fer-
rous sulphate test. Probably not more
than three grains absorbed. should
say" came the answer.
do you think he drank it,"
"Nn There was M 0dor of IL about