第8章
"Idon’tbelieveIcanwaitanylonger，"shebegan，andpaused，asBenjaminClymerappearedinthedoorway。
"Sosorrytobelate，"heexclaimed，shakingherhandwarmly。"AndIamsorry，also，tohavecalledyouhereonsuchanerrand。"
Mrs。Brewsterwaiteduntiltheyoungsecretaryhadwithdrawnoutofearshotbeforereplying;thentakingthechairClymerplacedforhernearhisown，sheopenedhergoldmeshbagandtookoutacanceledcheckandlaiditonthedeskinfrontofthebankpresident。
"Yourbankhonoredthischeck？"sheaskedYes。"
"Whopresentedit？"
Clymerpressedthebuzzerandhissecretarycameatonce。
"AskMr。McDonaldtostephere，"andasthemanvanishedonhiserrand，headdressedMrs。Brewster。"HowisColonelMcIntyrethismorning？"
Mrs。Brewster’seyesopenedatthequestion。"Quitewell，"shereplied，andpromptedbyhercuriosityadded："Whatmadeyouthinkhimill？"
"IstoppedatDr。Stone’sofficeonthewaydowntown，andhisboytoldmethedoctorhadbeensentforbyColonelMcIntyre，"Clymerexplained。"Ihopeneitherofthetwinsisill。"
"No。ColonelMcIntyresentforDr。StonetoattendGrimes—"
"Thebutler！Toobadheisill;GrimesisaninstitutionintheMcIntyrehousehold。"Clymerspokewithsincereregret，andMrs。
Brewstereyedhimapprovingly;shelikedgood—lookingmenofhisstamp。"Comein，McDonald，"asthebanktellerappeared。"YouknowMrs。Brewster？"
"Mr。McDonaldwasoneofmyfirstacquaintancesinWashington，"andMrs。Brewstersmiledassheheldoutherhand。
"Aboutthischeck，McDonald，"Clymerhandedittothetellerashespoke。"Whopresentedit？"
"MissMcIntyre。"
"WhichMissMcIntyre？"Mrs。Brewsterputthequestionwithswiftintentness。
"Ican’ttellonetwinfromtheother，"confessedMcDonald。"But，asyousee，thecheckismadepayabletoBarbaraMcIntyre。"
"TheinferencebeingthatBarbaraMcIntyrepresentedthecheckforpayment，"commentedClymer，andMcDonaldbowed。"Itwouldseem，therefore，thatBarbarawroteyoursignatureonthecheck，Mrs。
Brewster。"
"No。"Thewidowhadwhitenedunderherrouge，buthereyesdidnotfalterintheirdirectgaze。"Thesignatureisgenuine。Idrewthecheck。"
Thetwomenexchangedglances。Thebankpresidentwasthefirsttobreaktheshortsilence。"Inthatcasethereisnothingmoretobesaid，"heremarked，andpickingupthecheckhandedittoMrs。
Brewster。Withoutaglanceatit，shefoldedthepaperandplaceditinsidehergoldmeshbag。
"Imustnottakeupanymoreofyourtime，"shesaid。"Ithankyou—both。"
"Mrs。Brewster。"Clymerspokeimpulsively。"I’dliketoshakehandswithyou。"
Coloringwarmly，thewidowslippedhersmallhandinsidehis，andwithafriendlybowtoMcDonald，shewalkedthroughthebank，keepingupwithClymer’slongstridesasbestshecould。AstheycrossedthesidewalktothewaitinglimousinetheyranalmostintothearmsofHarryKent，whoserapidgaitdidnotsuitthecongestedconditionofthe"WallStreet"ofWashington。"Itriedtoreachyouonthetelephonethismorning，"exclaimedMrs。Brewster，aftergreetinghim。
"SomyclerkinformedmewhenIsawhimafewminutesago。"Kenthelpedherinsidethelimousine。"Won’tyoucometomyofficenow？"
"ButthatwillbetakingyoufromMr。Clymer，"remonstratedMrs。
Brewster。"Weren’tyouonthewaytothebank？"
"Iwas，"admittedKent。"ButIcanseeMr。Clymerlaterintheday。"
"AndI’llbelessoccupiedthen，"addedClymer。"GowithMrs。
Brewster，Kent;goodmorning，madam，"andwithacourtlybowClymerwithdrew。
Kent’sofficewasonlyaroundthecorner，andasMrs。Brewsterkeptuparunningfireofimpersonalgossip，Kenthadnoopportunitytosatisfyhiscuriosityregardingherreasonsforwantingtointerviewhim。Asthelimousinedrewupatthecurbinfrontofhisoffice，amandartingdownthestepsofthebuilding，caughtsightofKentandhurriedtothecarwindow。
"Iwasjusttryingtocatchyouatthebank，Mr。Kent，"heexplained，andlookingaroundKentrecognizedSylvester。"There’sbeenthreetelephonecallsforyouinsuccessionfromColonelMcIntyretohurrytohishome。"
"Thanks，Sylvester。"KentturnedtoMrs。Brewster。"WouldyouminddrivingmetotheMcIntyre？Wecantalkonthewaythere。"
Mrs。Brewsterpickedupthespeakingtube。"Home，，Harris，"shedirected，asthechauffeurlistenedfortheorder。
NeitherspokeasthebigcarstartedupthestreetbutastheyswungpastoldSt。John’sChurch，Mrs。Brewsterbrokehersilence。
"Mr。Kent，"shedrewfurtherbackinhercorner。"Iclaimawoman’sprivilege—tochangemymind。ForgetthatIeverexpressedawishtoconsultyouprofessionally，andremember，Iamalwaysgladtomeetyouasafriend。"
"Certainly，Mrs。Brewster，asyouwish。"Kent’stone，expressingpoliteacquiescence，coveredmixedfeelings。Whathadcausedthewidowtochangehermindsosuddenly，andaboveall，whathadshewishedtoconsulthimabout？Hefacedhermoredirectly。Shewascharminglygowned，andinspiteofhisperplexities，hecouldnotbutadmireherairofquieteleganceandthesoftdarkeyesregardinghiminfriendlygood—fellowship。Suddenlyrealizingthathisglancehadbecomeafixedstare，hehastilyavertedhiseyesfromherface，catchingsight，ashedidso，ofthegoldmeshbaglyinginherlap。Theglintofsunlightbroughtintoprominencethehandsomelyengravedletter"B"onitssurface。Anunexpectedswerveofthelimousine，asthechauffeurturnedshorttoavoidaspeedingarmytruck，causedbothKentandMrs。Brewstertoswayforwardandthegoldmeshbagslidtothefloor，carryingwithitthewidow’shandkerchiefandgoldvanitybox。Kentstoopedoverandpickedupthearticlesaswellasthecontentsofthemeshbag，whichhadopenedinitsdescentandspilledhermoneyandpapersoverthefloorofthelimousine。
"Oh，thankyou，"exclaimedMrs。Brewster，ashehandedherthebag，box，andbanknotes。"Don’tbothertolookforthatquarter;Harriswillfinditatthegarage。"
Kentignoredherremarkasheagainsearchedthefloorofthecar;
hewasgladofthepretexttoavoidlookingatthewidow。Hewantedtimetocollecthisthoughtsfor，inPickingupherbelongings，herhandkerchiefhadcaughthisattention—hehadseenitsmateinthepossessionofDetectiveFerguson，andclingingtoitthebrokenportionsofthecapsulesofamylnitritewhichJimmieTurnbullhadinhaledjustbeforehismysteriousdeath。
IntoKent’smindflashedMrs。Sylvester’sstatementthatMrs。
Brewsterwasinthepolicecourtatthetimeofthetragedy，althoughinhertestimonyattheinquestshehadswornshehadnotheardofJimmie’sdeathuntilthereturnofHelenandBarbaraMcIntyre。Shehadbeeninthepolicecourt，andJimmiehadusedherhandkerchief—amatetotheoneshewasthenholding，theletter"B"withitspeculiartwistwasunmistakable—and"B"
stoodforBrewsteraswellasforBarbara！Kentdrewinhisbreathsharply。
"Myhandkerchief，please，"thewidowheldoutherhand，andafteramoment’shesitation，Kentgaveittoher。
"Pardonme，"heapologized。"Iwasstruckbythehandkerchief’sappearance。"
Mrs。Brewsterturneditover。"Inwhatwayisthehandkerchiefunique？"sheasked，laughing。
"BecauseJimmieTurnbullcrushedamylnitritecapsulesinitsmatejustbeforehedied，"explainedKentquietly。"DetectiveFergusonclaimsthatJimmieunintentionallybrokemorethanonecapsuleinthehandkerchief，wasovercomebythepowerfulfumesanddied。"
"ButtheinquestprovedthatJimmiewaskilledbyadoseofaconitinepoison，"sheremindedhim，asshetuckedthehandkerchiefuphersleeve。
Kentdidnotreplyimmediately。"Amandoesnotusuallycarryawoman’shandkerchiefaboutwithhim，"hecommentedslowly。"Odd，isitnot，thatJimmieshouldhaveusedahandkerchiefofyoursinthepolicecourtjustpriortohisdeath，whileyouweresittingafewfeetaway？"
"I？"Mrs。Brewsterturnedandregardedhimsteadfastly。Shewasdeadlywhiteunderherrouge。"Mr。Kent，areyoucrazy？"
"Yes，crazytoknowwhyyoukeptyourpresenceinthepolicecourtonTuesdaymorningasecret，"repliedKent。IntheirearnestnessneithernoticedKent’sabsent—mindedclutchonasmallfoldedpaperwhichhehadpickedupfromthefloorofthelimousine。"Mrs。
Brewster，whydidyoulaughwhenDr。StonecarriedJimmieTurnbulloutofthecourtroom？"
Mrs。Brewstersatstillinhercornerofthecar;sostillthatKent，observingherclosely，fearedthatshehadfainted。Shehaddroppedhereyes，andherface，setlikemarble，gavehimnokeytoherthoughts。
ThedoorofthelimousinewasjerkedopenalmostbeforethecarcametoafullstopinfrontoftheMcIntyreresidence，andColonelMcIntyreofferedhishandtohelpMrs。Brewsterout。OnthestepsheturnedtoKent，whohadliftedhishattoMcIntyreinsilentgreeting。
"Yourforteliesasaromancerratherthanalawyer，Mr。Kent，"shesaid，andnotgivinghimtimeforareply，almostraninsidethehouse。
"Gladyoucouldgetheresosoon，Kent，"remarkedMcIntyre，signingtohischauffeurtodriveonbeforeheledthewayintothehouse。
"Grimeshasworkedhimselfalmostintoafeveraskingforyou。"
"Grimes？"
"Yes。Grimeswasattackedinourlibraryearlythismorningbysomeunknownperson，andisinbedwithabadwoundonhistempleandatendencytohysteria，"McIntyreexplained。
"Comeupstairs。"
KenthandedhiscaneandhattothefootmanandfollowedColonelMcIntyre，whostalkedaheadwithoutanotherword。AstheymountedthestairsKentglancedatthefoldedpaperwhichhestillheld，andwassurprisedtoseethatitwasacheck。ThesignatureshowedhimthathehadunintentionallywalkedoffwithMrs。
Brewster’sproperty。HisdecisiontohandittoColonelMcIntyrewascheckedbytheColoneldisappearinginsideabedroom，withamutteredinjunctionto"waitthere，"andKentstuffedthecheckinsidehisvestpocket。ItwouldserveasanexcusetointerviewMrs。Brewsteragainbeforeleavingthehouse。Hewasdeterminedtohaveananswertothequestionhehadputtoherinthelimousine。Whyhadshegonetothepolicecourt，andwhykeptherpresencethereasecret？
WhenColonelMcIntyrereappearedinthehallhewasaccompaniedbyDetectiveFerguson。"Sorrytokeepyoustanding，Kent，"hesaid。
"IhavesentforyouandFerguson，firstbecauseGrimesinsistsonseeingyou，andsecond，becauseIamdeterminedthatthismidnighthouse—breakingshallbethoroughlyinvestigatedandputanendto。
Thisway，"andheledthemintoalargeairybedroomonthethirdfloor，towhichGrimeshadbeencarriedunconsciousthatmorning，insteadoftohisownbedroomintheservants’quarters。
Grimes，withhisheadswathedinbandages，wasawoe—begoneobject。
HegreetedColonelMcIntyreandthedetectivewithasullenglare，buthiseyesbrightenedatsightofKent，andhemovedafeeblehandinwelcome。
"Sitdown，sirs，"hemumbled。"There’schairsforall。"
"Don’tworryaboutus，"remarkedMcIntyrecheerily。"Justtellushowyougotthatnastyknockonthehead。"
"Idunno，sir;itcamelikeaclapo’thunder，"Grimestriedtolifthishead，butgaveovertheattemptasexcruciatingpainfollowedtheeffort。
"Whathourofthemorningwasit？"askedFerguson。
"Aboutoneo’clock，asnearasIcantell，sir。"
"Andwhatwereyoudoinginthelibraryatthathour，Grimes？"
demandedMcIntyre。
"Tryingtofindoutwhatyourhouseholdwasupto，sir，"wasGrimes’
unexpectedanswer，andMcIntyrestarted。
"Explainyourmeaning，Grimes，"hecommandedsternly。
"YoucandoitbetterthanIcan，sir，"retortedGrimes。"Youknowthereasoneveryone’ssearchingtheroomwiththesevendoors。"
"Theroomwiththesevendoors！"echoedFerguson。"Whichisthat？"
"Grimesmeansthelibrary。"McIntyre’stonewasshort。"Ihavenoidea，Grimes，whatyourallegationsmean。Bemoreexplicit。"
Thebutlereyedhiminnofriendlyfashion。"Wasn’tMr。Turnbullarrestedinthatveryroom？"hedemanded。"Andwhatwashelookingfor？"
"Mr。Turnbull’spresencehasbeenexplained，"repliedMcIntyre。
"Hecameheredisguisedasaburglaronawagerwithmydaughter，MissBarbara。"
"Ah，didhenow？"Grimes’risinginflectionindicatednervoustension。"Didamanwithabadheartcomehereinthedeadofnightfornothingbutthatfoolishness？"Grimesglaredathisthreevisitors。"Youbethedidn’t。"
Ferguson，whohadfollowedthedialoguebetweenMcIntyreandhisservantwithdeepattention，addressedtheexcitedman。
"WhydidMr。TurnbullenterColonelMcIntyre’slibraryonMondaynightdisguisedasaburglar？"heasked。
Grimes，byatwistofhishead，managedtoregardthedetectiveoutofthecornerofhiseye。
"Aye，whydidhe？"herepeated。"That’swhatIwenttothelibrarylastnighttofindout。"
"Didyoudiscoveranything？"ThequestionshotfromMcIntyre，andbothFergusonandKentwatchedhimastheywaitedforGrimes’reply。
Thebutlertookhistime。
"No，sir。"
McIntyrethrewhimselfbackinhischairandhiseyebrowsroseininterrogationashetouchedhisforeheadsignificantlyandglancedatGrimes。Thatthebutlercaughthismeaningwasevidentfromhisexpression，buthesaidnothing。Thedetectivewasthefirsttospeak。
"Didyouhearanyonebreakintothehousewhenyouwereprowlingaround，Grimes？"heasked。
"No，sir。"
ThedetectiveturnedtoColonelMcIntyre。"AfterfindingGrimesdidyousearchthehouse？"heinquired。
"Yes。Thepatrolman，O’Ryan，andmynewfootman，Murray，wentwithmethroughtheentirehouse，andwefoundalldoorsandwindowstothefrontandrearofthehousesecurelylocked，"respondedMcIntyre;"exceptthewindowofthereceptionroomonthegroundfloor。Thatwasclosedbutunlatched。"
Kentwonderedifthegrimacewhichtwistedthebutler’sfacewasmeantforasmile。
"ThattherewindowwaslockedwhenIwenttobed，"Grimesstatedwithslowdistinctness。"AndIwasthelastpersoninthishousetogotomyroom。"
McIntyrestartedtospeakwhenFergusonstoppedhim。
"Justletmehandlethiscase，"hesaidpersuasively。"Youhavecalledinthepolice，"andasMcIntyrecommencedsomeuncomplimentaryremark，headdedwithsternness。"Don’tinterfere，sir。Now，Grimes，yourstatementsimplyoneoftwothings—somememberofthehouseholdeitherwentdownstairsafteryouhadretired，andopenedthewindowinthereceptionroomtoadmitthepersonwhoafterwardsattackedyouinthelibrary，or"—Fergusonpausedsignificantly，"somememberofthishouseholdknockedyousenselessinthelibrary。Whichwasit？"
Therewasatensesilence。McIntyre，byanobviouseffort，refrainedfromspeechastheywaitedforGrimes’answer。
"Idunnowhohitme。"Grimesavoidedlookingatthethreemen。"Butsomeonedid，andthatwindowinthereceptionroomwaslockedwhenIwentupstairstomybedroomaftereveryonehadretired。I’mtellingyouGod’struth，sir。"
McIntyreeyedhiminwrathfulsilence，thenturnedtohiscompanions。
"TheblowhasknockedGrimessilly，"hecommented。"ThereiscertainlynomotiveforanyofustoattackGrimes，norhasanytraceofaweaponbeenfoundsuchasmusthavebeenusedagainstGrimes。O’RyanandIlookedparticularlyforit，afterremovingGrimesfromtheVenetiancasket，wheremydaughterHelen，Mrs。
BrewsterandIdiscoveredhimlyingunconscious。"
"What’sthisVenetiancasketlike？"askedFergusonbeforeKentcouldquestionMcIntyre。
"ItisafinesampleofcarvingoftheMiddleAges，"repliedMcIntyre。"IpurchasedthepairwheninVeniceyearsago。Theyareoversixfeetinlength，aboutthreefeetwide，andrestonacarvedbase。ThereisadoorattheendthroughwhichitwascustomaryintheMiddleAgestoslidethebody，afterembalming，forthefuneralceremonies，afterwhichthebodywasremoved，placedinanothercasketandburied。Thereisasquareopeningorpeepholeonthetopofthecasketthroughwhichyoucanlookatthebody;acleverlyconcealeddoorcoversthisopening。Infact，"
addedMcIntyre，"thedoorattheendisnotatfirstdiscernible，andishardtoopen，unlessonehastheknackofdoingso。"
"Hum！ItlooksasifwhoeverputGrimesinsidethecasketwasfamiliarwithit，"remarkedFergusondryly，andMcIntyrebithislip。"GuessI’llgoandtakealookatthecasket。I’llcomeback，Grimes。"
Kentrosewiththeothersandstartedtofollowthemtothedoor，butGrimesbeckonedhimtoapproachthebed。ThebutlerwaiteduntilheheardMcIntyre’sheavytreadandthelighterfootfallofthedetectiverecededownthehallbeforespeaking。
"Iwasonlygoingtosay，sir，"hewhisperedasKent，atasignfromhim，stoopedoverthebed，"IgotaboxofaconitinepillsforMrs。BrewsteronSunday—thestuffthatpoisonedMr。Turnbull，"
hepausedtoexplain。
"Yes，goon，"urgedKent，catchingtheman’sexcitement。"YougaveittoMrs。Brewster—"
"No，sir;Ididn’t;Ilefttheboxonthehalltable，"Grimesclearedhisthroatnervously。"Idunnowhopickedupthatboxo’poison，Mr。Kent;sohelpmeGod，Idunno！"
Kentthoughtrapidly。"Haveyoutoldanyoneofthis？"heasked。
Grimesnodded。"Onlyoneperson，"headmitted。"IspoketoMissBarbaralastnightasshewasgoingtobed。"GrimeslaidahothandonKent’sandglancedfearfullyaroundtheroom。"Bendnearer，sir;Idon’twantnoneothertohearme。JustbeforeIgotthatknockoutblowinthelibrarylastnight，Iheardtheswisho’skirts—andMissBarbarawastheonlylivingpersonwhoknewIknewaboutthepoison。"
Kentstaredinstupefactionatthebutler。Hewasarousedbyacoldvoicefromthedoorway。
"Wearewaitingforyou，Kent，"andColonelMcIntyrestoodasidetolethimpassfromtheroomaheadofhim，thenwithoutabackwardglanceattheinjuredbutler，heclosedandlockedthebedroomdoor。
CHAPTERXVIII
THEFATALPERIOD
AsKentwalkedintothelibraryhefoundColonelMcIntyrebyhisside;thelatter’sevenbreathinggavenoindicationofthehastehehadmadedownthestaircasetocatchupwithKent。
DetectiveFergusonhardlynotedtheirarrival，hisattentionbeinggivenwhollytotheexaminationoftheVenetiancasketwhichhadplayedsuchanimportantpartinthedramaofthenightbefore。
Thecasketanditscompanionpiecestoodoneithersideoftheroomnearawindowrecess。Thelongstraightshapeofthehighboxesontheirgracefulbasegavenoindicationoftheusetowhichtheyhadbeenputinancientdays，butmadeattractiveaswellasuniquepiecesoffurniture。
Kentcrossedthelibraryand，afterlookinginsidethecasket，examinedtheexteriorwithcare。
"Don’ttouchthatcrest，"cautionedFerguson，observingthatKent’sglanceremainedfocusedontheblood—stained，raisedletter"B"
andthecarvingbackofit。"Infact，don’ttouchanypartofthecasket，I’mtryingtogetfingerprints。"
KentbarelyheardthewarningasheturnedtoMcIntyre。
"Haven’tIseenthatletter’B’designonyourstationery，Colonel？"
heasked。
"Barbarausesit，"wasthereply。"Shefanciedtheantiquelettering，andcopiedthe’B’fortheengraver;sheishandywithherpen，youknow。"
"Didshewishthe’B’foraseal？"inquiredKent。
"Yes，shehadasealmadelikeitalso。"McIntyremovedclosertothecasket。"Foundanything，Ferguson？"
Thedetectivewithdrewhisheadfromtheopeningattheendofthecasket，andregardedthefurniturevexedly。
"Notathing，"heacknowledged。"ExceptIamconvincedthatitrequireddexteritytoslipGrimesinsidethecasket。Thebutlerissmallandslight，buthemusthavebeenunconsciousfromthattapontheforeheadand，therefore，adeadweight。Whoeverpickedhimupmusthavebeensomeathlete，and"—runninghiseyesupanddownColonelMcIntyre’swell—knit，erectframe—"prettyfamiliarwiththeworkingsofthiscasket。"
"Pooh！It’snotsodifficultafeat，"McIntyreshruggedhisshouldersdisdainfully。"Mydaughters，aschildren，usedtoplayhideandseekinsidethecasketwitheachnewgoverness。"
Fergusonsteppedforwardbriskly。"Mr。Kent，letmeseeifIcanliftyouinsidethecasket;makeyourselflimp—that’sit！"asKent，enteringintotheinvestigationheartandsoul，relaxedhismusclesandfellbackagainstthedetective。
Amomentlaterhewasswungupwardandpushedhead—firstinsidethecasketandthedoorclosed。Theair，thoughclose，wasnotunpleasantandKent，hiseyesgrowinggraduallyaccustomedtothedarkinterior，triedtodiscoverthetrapdooratthetopoftheboxbutwithoutsuccess。Puttingouthishandshefeltalongthetop。Theheightofthecasketdidnotpermithimtositup，sohewasobligedtoslidehisbodydowntowardhisfeettofeelalongthesidesofthecasket。Thismaneuversoonbroughthiskneesinviolentcontactwiththetop，andatthesoundFergusonopenedthedoorandassistedhimout。
"Hadenoughofit？"heasked，viewingKent’sreddenedcheekswithfaintamusement。"IwonderifGrimescouldbreatheinthereforanylengthyperiod。Ifso，itwouldhelpestablishthetimewhichelapsedbetweenhisbeingincarceratedandyourfindinghim，Colonel。"
"Howso？"demandedMcIntyre。
"Well，ifhecouldn’tgetairandyouhadn’tdiscoveredhimatonce，he’dhavedied，"explainedFerguson。"Ifyoudidfindhimimmediatelythepersonwhoknockedhimdownmusthavemadealightningescape。"
"Airdoesgetinthecasketinsomeway，"brokeinKent。"Itwasn’tsobadinside。ColonelMcIntyre，"Kentstoppedamomenttoremoveapieceofredsealingwaxclingingtothecuffofhissuit。Ithadnotbeentherewhenheenteredthecasket。Kentdroppedthewaxinhisvestpocketasheagainaddressedhishost。"WhofirstdiscoveredGrimesinthecasket？"
"Mrs。Brewster。"
"AndwhatwasMrs。Brewsterdoinginthelibraryatthathour？"
glancingkeenlyatMcIntyreasheputthequestion。
"Shecouldnotsleepandcamedownforabook，"explainedtheColonel。
Ferguson，whohadwalkedseveraltimesaroundthelibrary，lookingbehindfirstoneandthentheotherofthesevendoors，pausedtoask：
"WhatattractedMrs。Brewster’sattentiontothecasket？"
"Thebloodstainonitsside，"McIntyreanswered。
"What—that！"FergusoneyedMcIntyreincredulously。"Come，sir，doyoumeantotellmeshenoticedthatlittlebitofastaininadarkroom？"
"Shehadanelectrictorch，"shortly。
"Butwhyshouldsheturnthetorchonthiscasket？"persistedthedetective。"Shecametothelibraryforabook，andthebookcasesareinanotherpartoftheroom。"
"Quiteso，butthebookshewishedwaslyingonthetopofthiscasket，"repliedMcIntyre，meetingtheirlevellookswithoneequallysteadfast。"IknowbecauseIleftthebookthere。"
FergusonglancedfromMcIntyretoKentandbackagainattheColonelinnon—plussedsilence。Theexplanationwaspat。
"I’dliketotalkwithMrs。Brewster，"heremarkeddryly。
"Certainly。"McIntyrepressedanelectricbutton。Thesummonswasansweredimmediatelybythenewservant，Murray。"AskMrs。BrewsterifshecanseeDetectiveFergusoninthelibrary，Murray，"McIntyredirected。
"Begpardon，sir，butMrs。Brewsterhasjustgoneout，"andwithabowMurraywithdrew。
Kent，whohaddrawnforwardachairpreparatorytosittingdownandparticipatingintheinterviewwiththewidow，changedhismind。
"Imustleaveatonce，"hesaid，afterconsultinghiswatch。
"PleaseinformMrs。Brewster，Colonel，thatIwillbeinmyofficethisafternoon，andIexpecthertomakemethevisitshepostponedthismorning。Ferguson，"turningbacktoaddressthedetective，"you’llfindmeattheSaratogaforthenexthour。Goodmorning，"
andpayingnoattentiontoColonelMcIntyre’srequesttoremain，helefttheroom。
TherewasnooneinthehallandKentdebatedamomentwhetherornottoringfortheservantandasktoseeBarbara，but，atsightofthehalltable，Grimes’confidencesrecurredtohimanddroveeverythingelseoutofhismind。Stoppingbeforethetablehecontemplateditssmoothsurfacebeforemovingthefewornamentsitheld。Satisfiedthatnopillboxstoodbehindanyofthem，hepulledopenthetwodrawersandtumbledtheircontentsabout。Hiseffortsonlybroughttolightsomehalf—emptycigaretteboxes，matches，ascratchpadortwo，andoldvisitingcards。
Kentshutthedrawers，pickeduphishat，andtookhiscanefromthetallchinaumbrella—standbythehalltable。Ashesteppedthroughthefrontdoorwayhecaughtsightoftheendofhiscane，whichhewascarryingtuckedunderhisarm。Fastenedtotheferuleofthecanewastheroundtopofapaste—boardpillbox。
Kentbackedsoswiftlyintothehouseagainthathisfigureblockedtheclosingofthefrontdoor，whichhehadstartedtopullshutafterhim。Lettingthedoorclosegentlyhewalkedbacktotheumbrellastand。Itwasatallheavyaffair，andhehadsomedifficultyintippingitoverandlettingitscontentsspillonthefloor。Asoftexclamationescapedhimasthreelittlepelletsrolledpasthim，andthencamethebottomofabox。
WithhastyfingersKentpickedthemup，placedtheminthebox，andfittedonthetop，firstcarefullysmoothingovertheholemadebyhiscanewhenthrustintotheumbrellastandbythefootman。
Replacingthestandhewrappedtheboxcontainingthepillsinhishandkerchiefandhurriedfromthehouse。
KentfoundtheoperativefromDetectiveHeadquarterssittingondutyinRochester’slivingroomwhenheenteredthatapartmentaquarterofanhourlater。
"Anyonecalledhere？"heasked，astheman，whomhehadmetthenightbefore，greetedhim。
"Notasoul，Mr。Kent。"Nelsonsuppressedayawn;hisreliefwaslateincoming，andhehadhadlittlesleepthenightbefore。
"There’sbeennodisturbanceofanykind，notevenaringatthetelephone。"
Kentconsideredamoment，thensatdownbythetelephoneandgaveanumbertoCentral。
"Thatyou，Sylvester？"hecalledintothemouth—piece。"IfMrs。
Brewstercomestotheoffice，telephonemeatMr。Rochester’sapartment，Franklin52。Don’tletMrs。BrewsterleaveuntilI
haveseenher。"
"Yes，sir，"camethereply，andKenthungupthereceiver。
"Hadanyluncheon？"heaskedNelsonasthemanloiteredaround。
"Notyet"—Nelson’seyesbrightenedattheword。Itwaslongpasthisusualmealhour。
"Rundowntothecafonthefirstfloorandtelltheheadwaitertogiveyouasquaremealandchargeittome，"Kentdirected。
"Ordersomethingsubstantial;youmustbeusedup。"
Themanhungback。"Thankyou，Mr。Kent，butIdon’tliketoleavehereuntilmyreliefcomes，"heobjected。
"That’sallright，I’llstayintheapartmentuntilyoureturn，"
andKentsettledthequestionbyopeningthedoorleadingintotheoutercorridor。"Fergusonwillbearoundshortly，sohurry。"
Kentwatchedthemanscurrytowardtheelevatorshaft，thenreturnedtoRochester’sapartmentandoncemoretookupthetelephone。Theoperative’sreluctancetoleavetheapartmentunguardedhadalteredhisplanssomewhat。
"IsthisDr。Stone’soffice？"heaskedamomentlater，asafaint"hello，"cameoverthewire。"Oh，doctor，thisisKent。PleasecomeovertoRochester’sapartment;Iwouldliketoconsultyouinregardtoanimportantmatter。You’llcomenow？Thanks。"
ThedoctorkeptKentwaitinglessthanfiveminutes。Theclockwasstrikingonewhenheappeared，blandandsmiling。HardlywaitingforhimtoselectaseatKentflunghimselfintoachairinfrontofRochester’sdeskandlaidthepillboxonthewritingpad。
"Now，doctor，"hebegan，andhismannergainedinseriousness，"what，inyouropinion，killedJimmieTurnbull？"
"Thepost—mortemexaminationprovedthathehadswallowedaconitineinsufficientquantitytocausedeath，"Stonereplied。"Heundoubtedlydiedfromtheeffectsofthatpoison。"
"Isaconitinedifficulttoprocure？"askedKent。
"Itisoftenprescribedforfevers。"Stonemadehimselfcomfortableinanear—bychair。"Aconitineisthealkaloidofaconite。I
believethatinIndiaitisfrequentlyemployed，notonlyforthedestructionofwildbeasts，butforcriminalpurposes。TheIndiavarietyisknownastheBishpoison。"
Kentstarted—Bishpoison—washenevertogetawayfromtheletter"B"？
"CanyouprocureBishinthiscountry？"heasked。
Stoneconsideredthequestion。"YoumightbeabletopurchaseitfromsomeHindooresidingortravelingintheUnitedStates，"hesaid，afterapause。"Idoubtifyoucouldbuyitinadrugstore。"
Kentheavedasighofreliefashehitchedhischairclosertothephysician。
"DidyouprescribeadoseofaconitineforMrs。Brewsterrecently？"
heasked。
"Idid，foranattackofrheumaticneuralgia。"Stoneeyedhimcuriously。"Whatthen，Kent？"
"Isthistheboxthemedicinecamein？"andKentplacedthecoverinStone’shand。
Stoneturnedthepaste—boardoverandstudiedthedefacedlabel。
"Icannotanswerthatquestionpositively，"hesaid。"Thelabelbearsmynameandthatofthedruggist，butthedirectionsaremissing。"
"Butthenumber’sonit，"putinKentswiftly。"Come，Stone，callupthedruggist，repeatthenumbertohim，andaskifitcallsforyouraconitineprescription。"
Stonehesitatedasifabouttospeak，then，reachingouthishand，hepickedupthetelephoneandheldashortconversationwiththedrugclerkoftheThompsonPharmacy。
"ThatistheboxwhichcontainedtheaconitinepillsforMrs。
Brewster，"hesaid，whenhehadreplacedthetelephone。"Now，Kent，Ihavesecuredtheinformationyouwished;kindlytellmeyourreasonsfordesiringit。"
ItwasKent’sturntohesitate。"Doyouknowmanyinstanceswhereaconitinewasusedbymurderers？"hequestioned。
"N—no。IbelieveitwasthedrugusedinthecelebratedLamsonpoisoncase，"repliedthephysicianslowly。"Icannotrecallanyothersjustatthemoment。"
"Howaboutsuicides？"
"Itisseldom，ifever，usedforsuicides。"Stonespokewithmoreassurance。"Ihavefoundinmypractice，Kent，thatsuicidescanbeclassedasfollows：drowningbytheyoung，pistolsbytheadult，andhangingbytheaged;womengenerallypreferasphyxiation，usingilluminatinggas。Butthisisbesidethequestion，unless"—bendingapenetratinglookathiscompanion—"unlessyoubelieveJimmieTurnbullcommittedsuicide。"
"Thatideahasoccurredtome，"admittedKent。"Butitdoesn’tsquarewithotherfactswhichhavedeveloped，norisitinkeepingwiththecharacteroftheman。"
"Menwhosufferfromamortaldiseasesometimescommitdesperateacts，notatallinaccordwiththeirpreviousconduct，"respondedStonegravely。"Come，Kent，youhavenotansweredmyquestion。
WhydidyouwishinformationaboutthisboxofaconitinepillsprescribedforMrs。Brewsterduringherattackofneuralgia？"
"Youhavejuststatedthataconitineisnotusuallyadministeredtomurderaperson，"Kentspokeseriously，choosinghiswordswithcare。
"Doyouwonderthen，thatIconsideritmorethanacoincidencethatJimmieTurnbullshouldhavediedfromadoseofthatpoison，andthatthedrugshouldhavebeenprescribedforoneoftheinmatesofthehousehevisitedshortlybeforehisdeath？"
Thephysiciansatupright，hisfacehadgrowngray。"Mr。Kent，"hecommencedindignantly，"areyouawarewhatyouareinsinuating？Areyou，also，awarethatMrs。Brewsterismycousin，acharming，honorablewoman，withoutastainonhercharacter？"
Kentsetthebottomoftheboxcontainingthepillsinfrontofthedoctor。
"Ihavefoundoutthatthisbox，withitsdangerousdrug，wasleftonthehalltableintheMcIntyrehouse;apparentlyanyonehadaccesstoitscontents，thereforemyremarksarenotdirectedagainstMrs。BrewsteranymorethanagainstanypersonintheMcIntyrehousehold，fromtheColoneltotheservants。IfoundthesethreepillsattheMcIntyrehousethismorning;howmanydidyourprescriptioncallfor？"
Stonepickedupthesmallpillsand，ashebalancedtheminhispalm，hismannergrewmorealert。Suddenlyhedroppedtwobackintheboxandtouchedthethirdpillwiththetipofhistongue;notcontentwiththathecrusheditinhisfingers，sniffedthedrug，andagaintesteditwithhistongue。HisexpressionwaspeculiarashelookedupatKent。
"Thesearenotaconitinepills，"hestatedpositively。"Theyarenitro—glycerine。Howdidtheygetinthisbox？"
Kentrubbedhischininbewilderment。Theboxbearingtheaconitinelabelandthepillshadallrolledoutofthechinaumbrellastand，andhehadtakenitforgrantedthatthepillsbelongedinthebox。
"Ifoundthemlooseinthesamereceptacle，"heexplained。"AndconcludedtheywerewhatremainedoftheaconitinepillswhichGrimes，theMcIntyrebutler，saidheleftonthehalltableSundayafternoon。"
StonesmiledwithwhatKent，whowaswatchinghimclosely，judgedtobeanoddmixtureofreliefandapprehension。
"Youcouldnothavefoundmoredissimilarmedicinetogointhispillbox，althoughthetwokindsofpillsareidenticalincolorandsize，"hesaid。"Aconitinedepressestheheartactionwhiletheotherstimulatesit。"
Thephysician’sstatementfellondeafears。Raisinghisheadaftercontemplatingthepills，Kenthadlookedacrosstheroomandhisglancehadfallenonawingchair，standingjustinsidethedoorwayofthelivingroom，andthrownpartlyinshadowbytheportieres。
Thewingofthechairappearedtomove。Kentrubbedhiseyesandlookingagain，caughtthesameslightmovement。
BoundingtowardthechairKentsawthatthebrownshapewhichhehadmistakenforpartofthetuftedupholsterywasthesleekbrownhairofaman’swell—shapedhead。Hehaltedabruptlyonmeetingthegazeofapairofmockingeyes。
"Rochester？"hegaspedunbelievingly。"Rochester！"
HispartnerlaughedsoftlyasStoneapproached。"Ihavebeenaninterestedlistener，"hesaid。"Letmecompletethegooddoctor’sargument。Nitro—glycerinewouldhavebenefittedJimmieTurnbullandhisfeebleheart;whereasthemissingaconitinepillskilledhim。"
Stoneregardedhimwithseverity。"Howdidyougetinthisapartment？"hedemanded，decliningthechallengeRochesterhadofferedinaddressinghisopinionofTurnbull’sdeathdirectlytohim。
Rochesterdangledhisbunchofkeysinthephysician’sfaceandsmiledathisexcitedpartner。"Ifyoutwohadn’tbeensoabsorbedinyourconversationyouwouldhaveheardmewalkin，"heremarked。
"Wherehaveyoubeen？"demandedKent，partlyrecoveringfromhisastonishmentwhichhaddeprivedhimofspeech。
"Idecidedtotakeavacationatamoment’snotice。"Rochesterspokewiththesameslowdrawlwhichwascharacteristicofhim。"Youshouldbeaccustomedtomyeccentricitiesbythistime，Harry。"
"Weare，"announcedDetectiveFergusonfromthehallway，whereheandNelsonhadbeensilentwitnessesofthescene。"Andwe’llgiveyouachancetoexplaintheminthepolicecourt。"
"Onwhatcharge？"demandedRochester。
"Poisoningyourroom—mate，Mr。Turnbull，"repliedthedetective，drawingoutapairofhandcuffs。"Youaremightyclever，Mr。
Rochester。I’vegottohandittoyouforyourmysteriousdisappearancesinandoutofthisapartment，andformurderingMr。
Turnbullrightinthepolicecourtinthepresenceofthejudge，policeofficials，andspectators。"
Kentsteppedforwardatsightofthehandcuffsandlaidarestraininghandonthedetective’sshoulder。Rochestersawthemovement，guessedKent’sintention，andsmiled。
"Wecansettlethecasehere，"hesaidcheerfully。"Noneedoftroublingthepolicejudge。Now，Mr。Detective，howdidIkillJimmieTurnbullbeforeallthosepeoplewithoutanyonebecomingawareofthefact？"
"Slippedthepoisonintheglassofwateryouhandedhim，"answeredFergusonpromptly。"Anervysleight—of—hand，butyou’llswingforit。"
Rochester’ssmilewasexasperatingasheturnedtoDr。Stone。
"JudgingfromStone’sremarksaboutaconitine—whichIoverheard，"
heinterpolated。"Igatherthedoctoristolerablyfamiliarwiththeactionofthedrug。Doesaconitinekillinstantly，doctor？"
Stoneclearedhisthroatbeforespeaking。"No;thefatalperiodaveragesaboutfourhours，"hesaid，andRochester’seyessparkledashelookedupatthedetective。
"JimmiediedalmostimmediatelyafterIhandedhimthatdrinkofwater，"hedeclared。"Ifyouwishtoknowwhoadministeredthataconitinepoison，youwillhavetofindoutwhoJimmiewaswithattheMcIntyrehouseintheearlyhoursofTuesdaymorning。"
Thesharpimperativeringofthetelephonebellcutthesilencewhichfollowed。Kent，standingnearesttheinstrument，pickeditup，andrecognizedSylvester’svoiceoverthewire。
"Amessagehasjustcome，Mr。Kent，"hecalled，"fromMrs。Brewstersayingthatshewillbeinyourofficeatfouro’clock。"