Tombstone epitaph., 1915-09-12

"Try to calm yourself. Miss Riggs" Poe put in softly. adding in a casual tone. Have they found yet what kind l of poison was used?"
 Poison" Miss Riggs jumped to her feet, drew her arms down taut in an | effort at selfcontrol. her face went dead white. and she glanced quickly from Mrs. Groves to Poe, both watch ing her keenly.
 Well. what kind of poison do they think it was. and who do you think did it?' she asked in a dry voice, each word all effort.
 "Oh. 1t hasn't gone that far" said the banker in a concerned tone. "I learned of it from friend. and stopped to see Doctor Robinson before l came 1 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 10 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 furtiyely al 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; I should have been more thoughtful" There was shrewdness in Poe's tone.
 Mrs. Groves put tiInid hand on his arm, and asked tremulously:
 Who do you think did it. Mir Poe?'' My dear lady. only wish I knew" said Poe vibrantly. adding. We all wish we knew. don't we. Miss Riggs?" She replied sullenly: T don't care who pois-how Boudi. not died, only j: that little French manicure did it it would confirm my | opinion of her"
 Where is her place." asked Poe casually. 'ls she near here:"
 Ask Mrs. Groves: she generally wheeled him there" said Miss Riggs evasively, dropping her eyes sullenly as Poe looked at her.
 Not two blocks away, just at the corner. on Broadway" replied Mrs, Groves with eager promptnsss 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 beadllke eyes on him.
 There won't be anything" she said decidedly. "Boudinot will be buried at once. and I shall take my money and go to Europe to live the rest of my life"
 T hope you may" said the banker. lowing.
 Why shouldn't T." "Oh, the state might make in. | quiries." he turned to explain, 'thst is, if BOudinot was really poisoned. That might detain you
 q 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: whe2 the state makes an inquiry. it is apt to want to keep track of everybody immediately ! concerned. but hope if there is an in- yestigation 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?" Not now; later, i! I-stilI, I rather l 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 l died: not a bruise. not a scratch. While Mrs. Groves answered a call to another part Of the house. Poe made | hasty but minute examination of the l exposed skin. finding but little on which to base a vague theory forming in his mind.
 Then, worried look expressing it. self in the two thoughtful grooves i joining his nostrils with the corners of his lips, he left the house abruptly, and crossed to Broadway. where, from booth in a corner drug store. he called up his friend Doctor Robinson, with whom he sometimes worked. Hello. this is Poe" be said, on get ! ting the doctor at the other end of the wire. Found out for sure?" Yes. no doubt at all. Dilute hydro | cyanic acid. I used the ammonia-fer- rous suiphate test Probably not more than three grains absorbed. 1 should say" came the answer
 Do you think he drank it'" NO There was no odor of it about his mouth, but the blood shows it. can't imagine how it was introduced. There wasn't a scratch on his body, as 1 told you"
 Delay reporting it for two hours, will you? It may save some trouble to | several people