the red seal-第25章

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with　the　workings　of　this　casket。〃

〃Pooh！　　It's　not　so　difficult　a　feat；〃　McIntyre　shrugged　his　shoulders　disdainfully。　　〃My　daughters；　as　children；　used　to　play　hide　and　seek　inside　the　casket　with　each　new　governess。〃

Ferguson　stepped　forward　briskly。　　〃Mr。　Kent；　let　me　see　if　I　can　lift　you　inside　the　casket；　make　yourself　limp　…　that's　it！〃　as　Kent；　entering　into　the　investigation　heart　and　soul；　relaxed　his　muscles　and　fell　back　against　the　detective。

A　moment　later　he　was　swung　upward　and　pushed　head…first　inside　the　casket　and　the　door　closed。　　The　air；　though　close；　was　not　unpleasant　and　Kent；　his　eyes　growing　gradually　accustomed　to　the　dark　interior；　tried　to　discover　the　trap　door　at　the　top　of　the　box　but　without　success。　　Putting　out　his　hands　he　felt　along　the　top。　　The　height　of　the　casket　did　not　permit　him　to　sit　up；　so　he　was　obliged　to　slide　his　body　down　toward　his　feet　to　feel　along　the　sides　of　the　casket。　　This　maneuver　soon　brought　his　knees　in　violent　contact　with　the　top；　and　at　the　sound　Ferguson　opened　the　door　and　assisted　him　out。

〃Had　enough　of　it？〃　he　asked；　viewing　Kent's　reddened　cheeks　with　faint　amusement。　　〃I　wonder　if　Grimes　could　breathe　in　there　for　any　lengthy　period。　　If　so；　it　would　help　establish　the　time　which　elapsed　between　his　being　incarcerated　and　your　finding　him；　Colonel。〃

〃How　so？〃　demanded　McIntyre。

〃Well；　if　he　couldn't　get　air　and　you　hadn't　discovered　him　at　once；　he'd　have　died；〃　explained　Ferguson。　　〃If　you　did　find　him　immediately　the　person　who　knocked　him　down　must　have　made　a　lightning　escape。〃

〃Air　does　get　in　the　casket　in　some　way；〃　broke　in　Kent。　　〃It　wasn't　so　bad　inside。　　Colonel　McIntyre；〃　Kent　stopped　a　moment　to　remove　a　piece　of　red　sealing　wax　clinging　to　the　cuff　of　his　suit。　　It　had　not　been　there　when　he　entered　the　casket。　　Kent　dropped　the　wax　in　his　vest　pocket　as　he　again　addressed　his　host。　　〃Who　first　discovered　Grimes　in　the　casket？〃

〃Mrs。　Brewster。〃

〃And　what　was　Mrs。　Brewster　doing　in　the　library　at　that　hour？〃　glancing　keenly　at　McIntyre　as　he　put　the　question。

〃She　could　not　sleep　and　came　down　for　a　book；〃　explained　the　Colonel。

Ferguson；　who　had　walked　several　times　around　the　library；　looking　behind　first　one　and　then　the　other　of　the　seven　doors；　paused　to　ask：

〃What　attracted　Mrs。　Brewster's　attention　to　the　casket？〃

〃The　blood　stain　on　its　side；〃　McIntyre　answered。

〃What　…　that！〃　　Ferguson　eyed　McIntyre　incredulously。　　〃Come；　sir；　do　you　mean　to　tell　me　she　noticed　that　little　bit　of　a　stain　in　a　dark　room？〃

〃She　had　an　electric　torch；〃　shortly。

〃But　why　should　she　turn　the　torch　on　this　casket？〃　persisted　the　detective。　　〃She　came　to　the　library　for　a　book；　and　the　bookcases　are　in　another　part　of　the　room。〃

〃Quite　so；　but　the　book　she　wished　was　lying　on　the　top　of　this　casket；〃　replied　McIntyre；　meeting　their　level　looks　with　one　equally　steadfast。　　〃I　know　because　I　left　the　book　there。〃

Ferguson　glanced　from　McIntyre　to　Kent　and　back　again　at　the　Colonel　in　non…plussed　silence。　　The　explanation　was　pat。

〃I'd　like　to　talk　with　Mrs。　Brewster；〃　he　remarked　dryly。

〃Certainly。〃　　McIntyre　pressed　an　electric　button。　　The　summons　was　answered　immediately　by　the　new　servant；　Murray。　　〃Ask　Mrs。　Brewster　if　she　can　see　Detective　Ferguson　in　the　library；　Murray；〃　McIntyre　directed。

〃Beg　pardon；　sir；　but　Mrs。　　Brewster　has　just　gone　out；〃　and　with　a　bow　Murray　withdrew。

Kent；　who　had　drawn　forward　a　chair　preparatory　to　sitting　down　and　participating　in　the　interview　with　the　widow；　changed　his　mind。

〃I　must　leave　at　once；〃　he　said；　after　consulting　his　watch。　〃Please　inform　Mrs。　　Brewster；　Colonel；　that　I　will　be　in　my　office　this　afternoon；　and　I　expect　her　to　make　me　the　visit　she　postponed　this　morning。　　Ferguson；〃　turning　back　to　address　the　detective；　〃you'll　find　me　at　the　Saratoga　for　the　next　hour。　　Good　morning；〃　and　paying　no　attention　to　Colonel　McIntyre's　request　to　remain；　he　left　the　room。

There　was　no　one　in　the　hall　and　Kent　debated　a　moment　whether　or　not　to　ring　for　the　servant　and　ask　to　see　Barbara；　but；　at　sight　of　the　hall　table；　Grimes'　confidences　recurred　to　him　and　drove　everything　else　out　of　his　mind。　　Stopping　before　the　table　he　contemplated　its　smooth　surface　before　moving　the　few　ornaments　it　held。　　Satisfied　that　no　pillbox　stood　behind　any　of　them；　he　pulled　open　the　two　drawers　and　tumbled　their　contents　about。　　His　efforts　only　brought　to　light　some　half…empty　cigarette　boxes；　matches；　a　scratch　pad　or　two；　and　old　visiting　cards。

Kent　shut　the　drawers；　picked　up　his　hat；　and　took　his　cane　from　the　tall　china　umbrella…stand　by　the　hall　table。　　As　he　stepped　through　the　front　doorway　he　caught　sight　of　the　end　of　his　cane；　which　he　was　carrying　tucked　under　his　arm。　　Fastened　to　the　ferule　of　the　cane　was　the　round　top　of　a　paste…board　pill　box。

Kent　backed　so　swiftly　into　the　house　again　that　his　figure　blocked　the　closing　of　the　front　door；　which　he　had　started　to　pull　shut　after　him。　　Letting　the　door　close　gently　he　walked　back　to　the　umbrella　stand。　　　It　was　a　tall　heavy　affair；　and　he　had　some　difficulty　in　tipping　it　over　and　letting　its　contents　spill　on　the　floor。　　A　soft　exclamation　escaped　him　as　three　little　pellets　rolled　past　him；　and　then　came　the　bottom　of　a　box。

With　hasty　fingers　Kent　picked　them　up；　placed　them　in　the　box；　and　fitted　on　the　top；　first　carefully　smoothing　over　the　hole　made　by　his　cane　when　thrust　into　the　umbrella　stand　by　the　footman。　Replacing　the　stand　he　wrapped　the　box　containing　the　pills　in　his　handkerchief　and　hurried　from　the　house。

Kent　found　the　operative　from　Detective　Headquarters　sitting　on　duty　in　Rochester's　living　room　when　he　entered　that　apartment　a　quarter　of　an　hour　later。

〃Any　one　called　here？〃　he　asked；　as　the　man；　whom　he　had　met　the　night　before；　greeted　him。

〃Not　a　soul；　Mr。　Kent。〃　　Nelson　suppressed　a　yawn；　his　relief　was　late　in　coming；　and　he　had　had　little　sleep　the　night　before。　〃There's　been　no　disturbance　of　any　kind；　not　even　a　ring　at　the　telephone。〃

Kent　considered　a　moment；　then　sat　down　by　the　telephone　and　gave　a　number　to　Central。

〃That　you；　Sylvester？〃　he　called　into　the　mouth…piece。　　〃If　Mrs。　Brewster　comes　to　the　office；　telephone　me　at　Mr。　Rochester's　apartment；　Franklin　52。　　Don't　let　Mrs。　Brewster　leave　until　I　have　seen　her。〃

〃Yes；　sir；〃　came　the　reply；　and　Kent　hung　up　the　receiver。

〃Had　any　luncheon？〃　he　asked　Nelson　as　the　man　loitered　around。

〃Not　yet〃　…　Nelson's　eyes　brightened　at　the　word。　　It　was　long　past　his　usual　meal　hour。

〃Run　down　to　the　caf　　on　the　first　floor　and　tell　the　head　waiter　to　give　you　a　square　meal　and　charge　it　to　me；〃　Kent　directed。　〃Order　something　substantial；　you　must　be　used　up。〃

The　man　hung　back。　　〃Thank　you；　Mr。　Kent；　but　I　don't　like　to　leave　here　until　my　relief　comes；〃　he　objected。

〃That's　all　right；　I'll　stay　in　the　apartment　until　you　return；〃　and　Kent　settled　the　question　by　opening　the　door　leading　into　the　outer　corridor。　　〃Ferguson　will　be　around　shortly；　so　hurry。〃

Kent　watched　the　man　scurry　toward　the　elevator　shaft；　then　returned　to　Rochester's　apartment　and　once　more　took　up　the　telephone。　　The　operative's　reluctance　to　leave　the　apartment　unguarded　had　altered　his　plans　somewhat。

〃Is　this　Dr。　Stone's　office？〃　he　asked　a　moment　later；　as　a　faint　〃hello；〃　came　over　the　wire。　　〃Oh；　doctor；　this　is　Kent。　　Please　come　over　to　Rochester's　apartment；　I　would　like　to　consult　you　in　regard　to　an　important　matter。　　You'll　come　now？　Thanks。〃

The　doctor　kept　Kent　waiting　less　than　five　minutes。　　The　clock　was　striking　one　when　he　appeared；　bland　and　smiling。　　Hardly　waiting　for　him　to　select　a　seat　Kent　flung　himself　into　a　chair　in　front　of　Rochester's　desk　and　laid　the　pill　box　on　the　writing　pad。

〃Now；　doctor；〃　he　began；　and　his　manner　gained　in　seriousness；　〃what；　in　your　opinion；　killed　Jimmie　Turnbull？〃

〃The　post…mortem　examination　proved　that　he　had　swallowed　aconitine　in　sufficient　quantity　to　cause　death；〃　Stone　replied。　　〃He　undoubtedly　died　from　the　effects　of　that　poison。〃

〃Is　aconitine　difficult　to　procure？〃　asked　Kent。

〃It　is　often　prescribed　for　fevers。〃　Stone　made　himself　comfortable　in　a　near…by　chair。　　〃Aconitine　is　the　alkaloid　of　aconite。　　I　believe　that　in　India　it　is　frequently　employed；　not　only　for　the　destruction　of　wild　beasts；　but　for　criminal　purposes。　　The　India　variety　is　known　as　the　Bish　poison。〃

Kent　started　…　Bish　poison　…　was　he　never　to　get　away　from　the　letter　〃B〃？

〃Can　you　procure　Bish　in　this　country？〃　he　asked。

Stone　considered　the　question。　　〃You　might　be　able　to　purchase　it　from　some　Hindoo　residing　or　traveling　in　the　United　States；〃　he　said；　after　a　pause。　　〃　I　doubt　if　you　could　buy　it　in　a　drug　store。〃

Kent　heaved　a　sigh　of　relief　as　he　hitched　his　chair　closer　to　the　physician。

〃Did　you　prescribe　a　dose　of　aconitine　for　Mrs。　Brewster　recently？〃　he　asked。

〃I　did；　for　an　attack　of　rheumatic　neuralgia。〃　　Stone　eyed　him　curiously。　　〃What　then；　Kent？〃

〃Is　this　the　box　the　medicine　came　in？〃　and　Kent　placed　the　cover　in　Stone's　hand。

Stone　turned　the　paste…board　over　and　studied　the　defaced　label。　〃I　cannot　answer　that　question　positively；〃　he　said。　　〃The　label　bears　my　name　and　that　of　the　druggist；　but　the　directions　are　missing。〃

〃But　the　number's　on　it；〃　put　in　Kent　swiftly。　　〃Come；　Stone；　call　up　the　druggist；　repeat　the　number　to　him；　and　ask　if　it　calls　for　your　aconitine　prescription。〃

Stone　hesitated　as　if　about　to　speak；　then；　reaching　out　his　hand；　he　picked　up　the　telephone　and　held　a　short　conversation　with　the　drug　clerk　of　the　Thompson　Pharmacy。

〃That　is　the　box　which　contained　the　aconitine　pills　for　Mrs。　Brewster；〃　he　said；　when　he　had　replaced　the　telephone。　　〃Now；　Kent；　I　have　secured　the　information　you　wished；　kindly　tell　me　your　reasons　for　desiring　it。〃

It　was　Kent's　turn　to　hesitate。　　〃Do　you　know　many　instances　where　aconitine　was　used　by　murderers？〃　he　questioned。

〃N…no。　　I　believe　it　was　the　drug　used　in　the　celebrated　Lamson　poison　case；〃　replied　the　physician　slowly。　　〃I　cannot　recall　any　others　just　at　the　moment。〃

〃How　about　suicides？〃

〃It　is　seldom；　if　ever；　used　for　suicides。〃　　Stone　spoke　with　more　assurance。　　〃I　have　found　in　my　practice；　Kent；　that　suicides　can　be　classed　as　follows：　drowning　by　the　young；　pistols　by　the　adult；　and　hanging　by　the　aged；　women　generally　prefer　asphyxiation；　using　illuminating　gas。　　But　this　is　beside　the　question；　unless〃　…　bending　a　penetrating　look　at　his　companion　…〃　unless　you　believe　Jimmie　Turnbull　committed　suicide。〃

〃That　idea　has　occurred　to　me；〃　admitted　Kent。　　〃But　it　doesn't　square　with　other　facts　which　have　developed；　nor　is　it　in　keeping　with　the　character　of　the　man。〃

〃Men　who　suffer　from　a　mortal　disease　sometimes　commit　desperate　acts；　not　at　all　in　accord　with　their　previous　conduct；〃　responded　Stone　gravely。　　〃Come；　Kent；　you　have　not　answered　my　question。　Why　did　you　wish　information　about　this　box　of　aconitine　pills　prescribed　for　Mrs。　Brewster　during　her　attack　of　neuralgia？〃

〃You　have　just　stated　that　aconitine　is　not　usually　administered　to　murder　a　person；〃　Kent　spoke　seriously；　choosing