\"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。\"