The Coolidge examiner., 1936-04-03
CHAPTER xII-Continued

VIII tell you now HOW LHc
murders were committed. If 1t is
any satisfaction to the criminal
who sits listening, 1 will say that
never have l seen or heard Of such
devilish cleverness. The work of
great brain-gOne wrong, the con-
ception Of a great mind-gone
wrong. If this be praise, let him
accept 1t.
II went as far as / could 60 In
my investigations, when / was
brought to full stop by my lack
of knowledge of the most recent
chemical discovery. Yet 1 rea-
soned thus: whoever contrived the
idea of these murders, whoever
brought them about, had knowledge
of the latest and highest type of
chemical research, the newest and
greatest discoveries in the field.
This, in addition to a real inven-
tive genius and a practical knowl-
edge of the necessary devices.
''These things 1 do not myself
possess, but it is my habit, when
up against the limitations OF my
learning, to go to someone who does
know, who can tell me the facts l
lack. 1 went, therefore, to my
friend and one time teacher, the
famous Doctor Simpson, the best
IN
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, will belittle his own share
of the revelations about to be di.
vulged. Wherefore l want to say
that Doctor Simpson charged me to
say that it was Fleming Stone who
found the key, who discovered the
secret that we have learned, and
that Mr.. Stone will now explain to
you"
With a slight smile Stone went
on.
1T makes small difference who
first saw the minute speck that
gave US our key, as we may call it.
'And to put the matter in a word,
will say that these murders were
done by the use of-radium."
Several of the men gasped in
amazement, though the women were
in no way enlightened.
GaSkell looked perplexed, and
said, "Radium? How?"
Garth said, "Radium! Oh, 1 see."
But Stone went steadily on. 81
will tell you what Doctor Simpson
said. Those of you who can under
stand it will do so, and others will
please not interrupt, as it can be
fully explained to them later.
"The famous toxicologist said
that the two deaths were brought
about in the same way, precisely
In each case the murderer insert.
ed into the heart of the victim q
tiny glass bulb, or as they call 1t,
seed which contained a gaseous
substance called radium emanation
This gas, when present in suffi.
eient concentration, causes the
death of the tissue Immediately sur.
rounding it over an area of about
half an inch, within twenty-four
to forty-eight hours. This area OF
necrosis, as is the case in all in.
stances of acute necrosis of tissue,
softens and, If subject to strain,
will rupture. This is just what
happened here-acute heart rupture
and sudden death.
"The seed containing the radium
emanation was inserted into the
heart by means of a long hollow
needle, similar in appearance to the
hypodermic needles generally In
use.
Though perhaps not entirely
clear to you, this was the method
used by the man who killed Corey
Maiden and young Bob Coles. Now,
we have to supply intervening de-
tails. am positive that the mur-
derer gave the radium emanation
to Mr.. Maiden the night they STAYED
at the Lovell's home, that Is, the
night before the wedding. Yet the
radium did not get in its deadly
work until three nights later, when
the necrOtic tissues ruptured and
caused death. 1t was the tiny
speck of glass that gave away the
situation TO Doctor Simpson and
allowed him to prove his case.
"As to the murderer, can't help
feeling that he is ready to make a
confession"
Il ami" and Tony Gaskell sprang
to his feet. You all know, why
hold 1t back? And I'm proud of
my deed. Not of killing my friends,
but proud of the marvelously clever
coup l brought off. 1 fully intend
ed to put Corey out of the way and
gain Perilla for myself-also the
Maiden money. Why harp on these
things? But the glorious plan, the
wonderful plOtl Did any mortal
man ever achieve a cleverer-"
Gaskell's eyes were wild, his face