The Washington herald., 1915-12-26

and garrets packed with reserves of
Experimental apparatus. In the back
wall was locked door leading to the
waterside where Magnum kept Fiji,
his motor launch.
Air analysis is a particularly tedi-
Gus and trying procedure, and in this
case there were twelve different SAM
pies to investigate. Magnum could
barely keep his temper under control
as for three days on end the young
Welshman worked on them, one after
another, with his meticulous, careful
ness, and in each case could only re-
port: Normal indoor air. No sign
of anything unusual"
Must be~ retorted Magnum. "Too
small in quantity to trace this way.
Get fresh samples and analyze on the
il. J. Thomson method"
This is highly delicate game which
involves the playing of cushion can
mons with atoms far smaller than any
microscope can detect. Meredith was
one of the very few men who have
mastered the technique of the game
But the J. ]. Thomson method
yielded no result beyond what would
happen with normal air.
Magnum was now thoroughly
aroused. Six days of trying work had
been wasted. If he did not solve the
mystery inside the seven days he had
stipulated for, his reputation would be
seriously damaged. Food and drink
had been put out of court; cigars had
been proved innocent; air was found
mot proven" Then what in blazes
could have produced the symptoms
! from which he and Meredith, as well
as the Boyd family. had so unmis-
takably suffered
The two investigators went back
to Park lane
I'VE must reconstruct that first
night in the house." said Magnum,
after he had examined the library and
bedrooms and been exasperated by
their mocking stare at his puzzle
ment. 1--WE sat there, in armchairs.
each side OF the FIRE. Wei smoked
two cigars. The windows were ex-
actly as they are now. The door
yes, the door was closed"
He went to make up the fire. found
the coalbox empty, and with Meredith
by him proceeded to the cellars in
search OF fresh coal and kindling
wood. The coal cellar was divided
INTO three compartments.
"Low-gradc stuff. That would be
kitchen COAL" said Magnum decisive
ly, pointing to the first compartment.
Now why these other two divisions:
All, see Lady Boyd makes a rich
woman's economy by burning the best
coal in her own living rooms and bed
rooms. and giving an inferior grade
for her servants use"
Suddenly he wheeled around and
slapped Meredith on the back with
startling force
Got it," he cried exultantly.
The young fellow rubbed his narrow
shoulder feelingly as he answered:
81 don't see what You mean
The coal! Something poisonous in
the coal. We sat over there for hours.
So do the BoydS."
But the bousekeeperr objected
Meredith.
Magnum snatched up a lump from
the third bin-a high-grade Welsh an
thracite coal-and hurried upstairs with
it 10 the housekeepers Sitting-roonl. Ii
was as he expected. The housekeeper.
by virtue Of her exalted position in the
hierarchy OF servants. was allowed to
share the fan,ily's special coal
Now to collect samples and take them
TO the laboratories for analysis.
NIagnum. having telephoned the fol-
lowing day to Sir Julian Boyd. received
the family in the hall OF the Park lane
mansion with the air OF one to whom no
secret OF nature is hidden. He had
changed for the occasion into a respec-
table tidy suit OF clothes. and carried no
traces of his week feveriSh .day-and-
night work
You have really and truly found
out the mystery" asked Lady Boyd.
Yes, and the remedy
What is it,"
Change your coal dealer"
"Why?'
The special coal you burn has been
with solution that gives
off cvanogen gas when the Goals
alight."
"Cyanide-,"u mean pru>>lc acid:"
calculated the startled Sir Julian.
mo. rot cyanide re-
turned Magnum inpatiently.
ITS poisonous
Yes. in sufficient quantity. Under
the actual conditions ni burning. only
minute traces come ont from the CRATE
ne DIlk ol goes up Inc
When YOU sit close to the FIRE. YOU IN
hale those minute traces Even air
analysis wouldn't show the presence OF
cyanoSen unless sample were taken
from in front OF the burning fire. Even
| couldn't smell 1t.
But I've never heard OF coal being
poisonous,
Nor have J. This coal has been doc
tored by some one.
Whose coal is :" asked Sir Julian
of his wife.
1T comes from the Pen-y-Clyd Col
liery Company" answered Lady Boyd
I'VE have always dealt with them in
London
But that's Llewellyns collieryl'
,lazed out Sir Julian.
1t was now Magnum's turn TO be
puzzled.
who's Llcwellyn:" he demanded
And where does he come in?"
The man who tried to buy the
and away from me at the auction
sale! He wanted it for his own town
house. Is it possible that he would 60
30 far as to try and poison myself and
ny family?"
"Everythings possible returned
Nagnum. But much more likely that
le wanted merely to drive you out OF
he house Get YOU to sell IL off. \