Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-09-23

/ TRY to calm yourself, Miss Riggs"
Poe put In softly, adding In a 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 keenIy.
| Well, what kind OF poison do they
think 1T was. and who do you think did
it?' she asked In dry voice, each
/ word an effort.
! oh. 1t hasn't gone that far" said
the banker In concerned tone. II
learned OF 1t from q 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 enc 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 furtiveiy at Mrs. Groves
and her expression grow hard
Then Miss Moquin disliked being
cut out Of the will?" She forced a
laugh.
you mean you think she"
Either Miss Moquin or his nurse"
She pointed an unsteady finger at Mrs.
Groves.
"Oh, I'm sure you're quite too
| wrought up by the announcement l
made; 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 1t, Mr.. Poe p
| my dear lady, only wish knew"
said Poe vibrantly. adding, I'VE all
wish we knew. don't we. Miss Riggs?''
She replied sullenly:
II don't care who pois--how Boudi-
not died. only IL that little French
manicure did II IL would confirm my
| opinion of her"
| Where Is her placer" asked Poe
casually. rs she near heref"
ASK Mrs, Groves she generally
wheeled him there" said Miss Riggs
eyasively, dropping her eyes sullenly
as Poe looked at her.
"Not two blocks away, just at the
| corner. on Broadway" replied Mrs.
| Groves with eager promptness.
Poe picked up his hat, saying. III !
| 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 shall take my money and
| 30 to Europe to live the rest Of my
life"
Il hope you may" said the banker.
bowling.
why shouldn't IT"
"Oh. the state might make In.
quiries." he turned to explain. that is,
II Boudinot was really poisoned. That
might detain YOU"
IT 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. 1t is apt to want to
keep track of everybody Immediately
concerned, but hope II there IL an In
vestlgation 1t will not trouble either
you or Mrs. Groves"
Groves lowered solicitously near. and
asked In an awed whisper:
would you like to see the body?"
mot now; later, IL I--still. rather
think would" Christopher Poe
changed his mind abruptly, and step
ped into the room.
As Doctor Robinson had already tolt
him. there was not q single bodily In
dication of how Boudinot Riggs has
died. not bruise, not = scratch
While Mrs. Groves answered call L
another part OF the house, Poe mad,
a hasty but minute examination Of tn,
exposed skin, finding but little OF
which to- base vague theory forming
in his mind.
!. Then, worried look expressing II
!. self In the two thoughtful grooves
joining his nostrils with the corners o
! his lips. he left the house abruptly
and crossed to Broadway, where. iron
: booth In corner drug store. h.
/. called up hts friend Doctor Robinson
with whom he sometimes worked.
Hello, this Ia Poe." he said, on sc,
: ting the doctor at the other end Of tn
, wire. Found out for sures'
al Yes, no doubt at all. Dilute hydro
i cyanic acid. l used the ammonia-fei
} rous sulphate test, Probably not NOR
1 than three grains absorbed. / shout
| say" came the answer.
DO you think he drank it,"
al mo, There was no odor Of 1t abou
his mouth. but the blood shows it.
!. can't imagine how It was introduced
!. There wasn't a scratch on his body. q
1 told you"
II Delay reporting II for two hours
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