Tombstone epitaph., 1915-09-12

turned ints the passage way and Pee pulled the toy aside. whispering tne remainder of the sentence in his ear
 Yes. I seen her do it. 1 thought there was somethin' funny The boy looked up suspiciously. and edged away, asking, How'd you know about it?"
 Never mind now said Poe Get a boy to watch your stand for the rest of the afternoon and I'll give you two dollars"
 An right said the youngster promptly.
 Poe scrubbed on the back of an en. velope:
 'Robinson-Test these sticks for me. Call me up at Riggs as soon as fin. ished Keep the boy. P"
 Writing Doctor Robinson's address on fold of the note. he wrapped Miss Moquin's orange wood sticks in a clean handkerchief, and gave them 10 the boy with directions. Then he hurried back to the Riggs house by the most direct route. look. ing in the gutter as he went Having almost reached the house and having found nothing. he crossed the street and walked back slowly on the other side.
 Suddenly he stopped. and. glancing about to see that he was unobseryed, scooped up in an empty cigarette box a scattering of glass fragments. He smelled of the pieces. smiled. repeat. ed softly, Peach kernels" put his tongue to the moist surface of one bit of glass and said with satisfaction Bitter almonds
 Then. squaring his broad shoulders he slipped the box into his pocket, took a deep breath, and walked briskly to the Riggs house. There he was admitted by Miss Riggs herself. who raised her eyebrows critically. and asked why he had re, turned
 ITO make sure that the woman who murdered Boudinot does not escape. he said in direct tone. Miss Riggs went white and stepped back, Mrs. Groves running down the hall to support her. She recovered instantly. standing straight and stiff. before the banker What do you mean7" she demand ed through thin, trembly lips. You have learned something?" Everything" But I did not do it. You're mad,' she cried. turning on Mrs. Groves and pointing an accusing finger. You mean she did it?" Try to calm yourself: I'll explain Poe turned quickly to Mrs. Groves, and asked: "Is there any ongoline in the house?" No. There isn't" cried Miss Riggs her muscles taut Explain. What dc you mean by accusing me-" Mrs. Groves had slipped away silent ly at significant signal from Poe. She returned with plain bottle in her hand. while Miss Riggs was hysteri cally demanding an explanation. Poe took the bottle from Mrs Groves fingers. uncorked and smelled it
 As he was about to speak, the phone rang and the little second maid who always shined Boudinot's shoes came forward 10 announce softly that MT Poe was wanted on the wire. The banker answered his call, recognizing the voice of Doctor Robinson at the other end.
 So you found the same acid on the orange wood sticks?" he remarked.
 Yes, pure p-ussic acid on one O. them" continued the doctor
 Good. I'll dine with you" Poe paused to look at his watch, in hail an hour; about six-thirty" He hung up the receiver, and re turned to the room where the two women awaited him, watching each | other narrowly Mrs. Groves" said Poe, turning tc the nurse, and holding up the bottle she had brought him. Why is there no label on this bottle? I thought on golnie always came in a container witt an embossed label something like this?" He took from his pocket the bottle he had purchased at Miss Mo quins-
 Mrs Groves gasped for a reply gagged. and glared at him with half open mouth, unable to answer. Mis-: Riggs rose from her chair, and stepped to Poe's side.
 She was the poisoner," she cried leveling a long, trembling. red-tippec finger at the old attendant, whose eye. grew suddenly small and sharp, like . | rats.
 Yes" answered Poe T suspected 1t from the moment I saw the hang nail on Boudinot's finger. You are s clever poisoner. Mrs. Groves. and can't blame you for figuring that Mis- Riggs might have had your legacy O, half a million reduced to a thousand after her success in making Boudinot change his beqaest to Miss Moquin Your only mistake was in keeping this ongoline when you emptied the ori ginal bottle to fill it with prussia acid"
 What do you mean?" cried Mis-: Riggs.
 Mrs. Groves, hunted, insane glean in her eyes, crouched down. and ! .- Al |