"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。"