Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-13

Nothing unusual" he replied in
II surly tone. Il only want to be let
alone"
I'm sorry. l won't stay long, my
boy: but 1 want YOU to help me-
Odell drew up chair beside the
| couch and seated himself. II don't
know how good toxicologist you are
as well rs a batcrioloEist. but l fancy
| YOU have your friend Doctor Adams
beaten a mile"
"oh. Adams is n pct,ifogging old
ass" the boy returned carelessly.
Then his eyes narrowed. What's the
game"
Just this The detective leaned
forward suddenly until his eyes were
almost on a level with the dark, sor-
donic ones upturned morosely to him.
suppose that l knew no moro about
poisons than-wcll. than l could learn
from GlancinS through these books OF
yours at odd ii" cs or asking casual
questions of some family practitioner
What poison would il be easiest for
,nc t. obtain without comment in any
drug store"
TIE boy shrugged.
'Carbolic or any OF the acids for
cradicating spots or ycrdiGris. l sup
pose. They'd be pretty average dead
ly: but none OF them would have
worked. IL YOU are s;lll harping on
my mothers case"
Il don't mean anything of that
sort" Odcll explained. Il have in
mind some poison which would work
gradually and be virtually tastclcss:
something which could be given in
the victims food. perhaps, and pro-
duce symptoms which might easily be
mistaken for those resulting from
some trivial indisposition.'
IiaNnic's eyes widencd and their
morose stare gave place To one OF
{: Judging admiration.
so You're on that tack. are you?"
he ASKED. u was only waiting till
was sure before spr!nging it on you
myself. This is an old house, YOU
know: there are plenty OF mice and
rats in the walls, and there IS n Ger
tain white powder which cXterminates
them quicker than anything else. and
which would he sold without Ques-
ton for that purpose in any drug
store If one's appearance and man
ner didn't arouse suspicion. 1t is
il when YOU came in"
lie reached under the cushions and
drew forth the book, which he opened
at :. certain page ana handed without
lcr remark to the detective.
"Arsenic!" Odell read. "Tcioxtde.
Ell? The crude oxide yields Il white,
crystalline powder. cdorlcss. but with
Il FAINT m.tulhc. sweetish taste. Small
quantities produce POI : o n ! IL &.
iiumrh, wonder how small guam
tity would produce noticeable cnec,
in, say, "A few days, and what that e.
feet would be"
Rannic reached out his hand for
the book. closed 1t and placed 1t once
more beneath the cushions.
Three quarters OF 4 grain mere
pinch on the end of n ltnifc-if given
twice It day would have a vc.y de-
cidcd effect in less than wceI:," he
said slowly. Il told you once that
ould not take the trouble 10 pa
any OF my precious family out Of the
way: hut didn't mean ;tat l
wouldn't lift 4 finger TO stop some one
else from killing even the mos, dis
agreeable OF them. The symptoms.
pain and nausea
Odcll started from his chair.
How long have you known ;his?"
ne demanded
Il suspected yesterday: l had only
convinced myself when you came
And the antidotc? quick, Tell me
the antidotc"
An emetic, anything that will re-
move IL from the system However.
mat won't proven; the next dose
from being administered" Rannie
mad dragged himself to his feet
hflAE cISsie in here if YOU like. I'll
see That no one gets to her. and I
guess dad and are off your list or
suspects this time: We haven't either
OF us left our rooms since Sa,uraoy
u rather LOOKS as though our family
nemesis were working overtime.
doesn't it,
Don't mention this to any one
100 oaei! cautioned as he s,ar,ca
'''H IoF the door. cit may be Tho
,e'H means OF trapping The person
We arc alter"
nc passed out into the hail IN,
paused for 4 moment. lost in ,hourh,
'sS'e was indeed being SLOWLY
'"iSohca and the would-hc murd.rc-
suspected that his sccrc, vas kno.,
"' would instantly cease his .rcr..
'"c opportunity Of proyinr bis
S"'i' would DC irretrievably LOST 70,
| ga" slF' must he protected ana
'"''""'c gwen 10 relieve hn- s,r
! M. II might even be thar ono ,noro
'"Se would prove fatal. Dare D.. -.
tempt Discrimination when hcr ynr,
ne was perhaps in danger?
/ re advanced slowoIy 10 her c,o.,.,
door and even as he pnuscI ,n,a.a
/ u his hand uplifted to KNOCK 80
/ he"r6 her faint groans and vis.
Mead"'s soothing voice in r.snon.n
mother sound reached his ears ais,
'he soft pad Of feet up tho hack
stairs and he turned to find PEERS
| coming toward him with a tray unon
which cup of broth steamed invi,.
.nRly ''''
win instant decision the detective
advanced and held out his hand
That's for Miss Chalmers. ism, I,
fetsFs' he asked carelcssiy. ar,
just going 10 ash Miss Meade +, .bn
can spar" a minute. and I'll hand il
IN TO hcr rpySnly..