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

turned into the passage way and Poe
pulled the boy aside, whispering the
remainder of the sentence in his ear.
Yes! seen her do it. I thought
there was somethin' funny The boy
looked up suspiciousIy, and edged
away, asking, How'd you know about
it?"
Never mind now" said Poe. y Get
a boy to watch your stand for the r est
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 a. fin
ishad. Keep the boy. p"
Writing Doctor Robinson's address
on fold OF the note, he wrapped Miss
Moquin's orange wood sticks In clean
handkerchief, and gave them to the
boy with directions.
| Then he hurried back to the Riggs
house by the most direct route, look
ing III 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, CLAN
| about to see that he was unobserved,
scooped up In an empty cigarette box
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 a...-
Then, squaring his broad shoulders,
he slipped the box into his pocket, took
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 ha d re-
turned.
ITO make sure that the woman who
murdered Boudinot does not cape"
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 mean?' she der and.
ed through thin, trembly lips. you
have learned something"
Everything"
But did not do it, You're had!"
she cried, turning on Mrs. Groves and
pointing an accusing, finger. You
mean she did it?"
TRY to calm yourself; Til explain"
Poe turned quickly to Mrs. Groves, and
asked: rs there any ongoline in the
house?"
No. There isn't!" cried Miss Riggs,
her muscles taut. Explain! What do
you mean by accusing me?"
Mrs. Groves had slipped away silent
ly at a significant signal from Poe. She
returned with a 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
1t.
As he was about to speak. the phone
rang and the little second maid who
always shined Boudinot's shoes came
forward to announce softly that Mr..
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 prussic acid ON one of
them" continued the doctor.
Good. I'll dine with. you" Poe
paused to look at his watch. in half
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 to
the nurse, and holding up the bottle
| she had brought him. Why is there
no label on this bottle?, thou ght on
golnie always came in q contain er with
an embossed label something like
this9" He took from his pocket the
bottle he had purchased at Miss Mo-
gums.
Mrs. Groves gasped for reply,
gagged. and glared at him with half.
open mouth. unable to answer. Miss
Riggs rose from her chair. and stepped
| to Poe'sr side.
| "She was the peisoner." sh @ cried
leveling a long. trembling, red-tipped
finger at ths old attendant, whose ewes
grew suddenly small and sharp, like a
| rats.
YES" answered Poe. Il suspected
1t from the moment / saw the hang
nail On Boudinot's finger. You are a
clever poisoner, Mrs. Groves, and
can't blame you for figuring that Miss
Riggs might have had your legacy oil
half a million reduced to a thousand
after her success in making Boudino,
change his bequest to Miss Moauin
Your only mistake was in keeping this
ongoline when you emptied the orr
ginal bottle to fill it with prussie
acid"
| What do you mean?" cried Miss
Riggs.
Mrs. Groves. hunted. insane CLEAN