The Irish standard., 1915-10-02

word an effort.
"Oh, it hasn't gone that far" said
the banker in q concerned tone. IL
learned OF 1t from q friend, and stopped
TO see Doctor Robinson before came
here. He was making 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
ana 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.
ooh. I'm sure you're quite too
wrought up by the announcement I
made: should have been more
thoughtful" There was shrewdness In
Poe's tone.
Mrs. Groves put q timid hand on his
arm, and asked TREMENDOUSLY:
'Who do you think did it, Mr.. Poet"
My dear lady. only wish I knew"
said Poe vibrantly, adding, 1--WE all
wish we knew, don't we, Miss Riggs 2;
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 her"
where is her place?" asked Poe
casually. els she near here?"
ASK Mrs. Groves; she generally
wheeled him there" said Miss Riggs
evasively, dropping her eyes sullenly|
rs 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, If I
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.
qufries." he, turned to explain, that is,
If Boudinot was really poisoned. That
might detain you"
II don't see how they could detain
met" she cried. why, 1 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, il I-still, l rather
think would" Christopher Poe
changed his mind abruptly. and step.
ped into the room.
AS Doctor Robinson had already told
him, there was not a single bodily in.
dication Of how Boudinot Riggs had
died; not bruise, not a scratch.
While Mrs. Groves answered call to
another part of the house, Poe made
q hasty but minute examination of the
exposed skin. finding but little on
which to base 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
booth in 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. I 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
his mouth, but the blood shows it. I!
can't imagine how it was introduced.
There wesn't a scratch on his body, as
told you"
Delay reporting it for two hours.
will you? It may save some trouble to,
several people,
"On your say-so. Of course. Poe.
Got anything to work on?"
mot much 20 far. Let's see, it's
about three o'clock now. Say six.
thirty. Be at home then?"
Eyes. Come to dinner"
IF feel can finish and turn over
the right person without outside help
will; otherwise I'll phone you.
Good-by"
Poo hung up the receiver and left
the booth, stopping to buy half.dozen
orangewood sticks ct the counter.
While the druggist was waiting on
hing Poo asked IL there was . mani!
cure shop In the neighborhood. :
Miss Moquin's, on the opposite cor.
nsr.s the druggist nodded through his
/; window. .Ths news stand % right Il
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