The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-07-23
CHAPTER XII

81 now have to remind you of the
death of young Robert Coles" Elem
ing Stone said slowly "You have
often heard it said, I have no doubt,
that if a criminal commits two
crimes they are done in the same
way. It is my own experience that
every murderer has his own method
and sticks to it. At any rate, the
two murders we are speaking Of
for Coles was murdered-were done
by the same method, and in further
ance of the same end The end,
which is to say, the motive, I will
now state.
"The murderer wanted two things:
he wanted the girl that Corey NAL
den married, and he wanter the for
tune which would come to that girl
on the death of her husband. These
two things, then, were the reasons
for the murder of Corey Maiden. The
criminal knew that the fortune
would automatically become Mrs.
Malden's at the death of her hus-
band, and the criminal thought or
hoped to win Mrs. Maiden for his
wife"
A hush fell on the assembly.
GaSkell stared openly at Garth
with a look that said, There's your
mani" while Farman looked steadily
at Perilla with accusation in his
small unpleasant eyes.
''And what about Bob?" cried NAL
colm "Who killed him."
Bob Coles knew too much about
the murderer" was Stones reply to
part of the question. Wherefore the
murderer put him out of the way
also"
81 wish you'd tell us who the muir
derer was" said Gaskell, petulantly.
''It had to be someone who was at
the hotel in Washington and also at
the Fields house in Scottstown.
Which is absurd, unless you are in
PRODUCING an utter stranger"
mo-" said Stone, gravely; mo, I
am not introducing an utter Stran-
ger. The murderer is with us now,
in the group in this room"
Every one turned and looked
about. This statement was too much.
Who of the group present could be a
murderer?
Only the extreme gravity of
Stones countenance, the solemnity
of this expression, could make it
seem possible he was speaking the
truth.
A grim silence fell, and now, al
continued speech.
Il will tell you now how the muir
ders were committed. If it is any
satisfaction to the criminal who sits
listening, will say that never have
I seen or heard of such devilish
cleverness. The work of a great
brain-gone wrong, the conception
of great mind-gone wrong. If this
be praise, let him accept it..
81 went as far as could 60 in my
Investigations, when I was brought
to a full stop by my lack of knowl-
edge of the most recent chemical dis
coveries. Yet, reasoned thus: who
ever contrived the idea of these muir
ders, whoever brought them about
had knowledge of the latest and
highest type of chemical research
the newest and greatest discoveries
in tn efield. This, in addition to q
practical knowledge of the necessary
devices.
"These things I do not myself pos
sess, but it is my habit, when UP
aginst the limitations of my learning,
to go to someone who does know,
who can tell me the facts I lack.
went, therefore, to my friend and
one time teacher, the famous Doctor
Simpson, the best known toxicolo-
gist in America, if not in the whole
world He helped me. He solved my
problem"
Here Plum interrupted, speaking
firmly and without allowing inter
ruption.
Perhaps, Mr.. Stone" the detec-
tive's secretary said, with his usual
modesty, twill belittle his own share
of the revelation about to be divulg-
ed. Wherefore I want to say that
Doctor Simpson charged me to say
that it was Fleming Stone who found