Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1915-09-03

| Try 10 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 keenly.
| We'll, what kind of poison do they
think it was, and who do you think did
it?' she asked in dry voice, each
word an effort.
"Oh, it hasn't gone that far" said
the banker in concerned tone. II
learned of it from friend, and stopped
to see Doctor Robinson before | came
here. He was making a 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 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 |
made; l should have been more
thoughtful" There was shrewdness in
| Poes 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 l knew"
said Poe vibrantly, adding, I'VE all
wish we knew, don't we, Miss Riggs?"
She replied sullenly:
Il don't care who pois-how Boudi.
not died, only if that little French
manicure did it it would confirm my
| opinion OF ner.
Where is her placer asked Poe
casually. rs she near here?"
ASK Mrs Groves; she generally
wheeled him there" said Miss Riggs
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 up 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 shall take my money and
| go to Europe to live the rest Of my
life"
Il hope you may" said the banker
bowling.
why shouldn't II"
"Oh, the state might make In
quiries." he turned to explain, that u.s.
If Boudinot was really poisoned. That
might detain you"
Il don't see how they could detain
mel" she cried. Why, l 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 if there is an in
vestigation it will not trouble either
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 l 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 scratch.
While Mrs. Groves answered call to
another part Of the house, Poe made
hasty but minute examination of the
exposed skin. finding but little on
which to base a 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
a booth in a corner drug store, he
called up his friend Doctor Robinson,
with whom he sometimes worked.
| Hello, this is 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,"
mo. There was no odor of it about