,,! ,,social ,,gang/]                   
,,! ,,craig ,,k5n$y ,,s]ies             
,,by ,,ar?ur ,b4 ,,reeve                
,,frontispiece ,,by ,,w ,,fo/]  ,,h>p]  
,,bro!rs ,,publi%]s ,,new ,,york ,,&    
,,london  ,copyright1 #aiaf1 by ,,h>p]  
,,bro!rs ,pr9t$ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates (     
,am]ica   ,illu/ration3 ,,j ,,be=e ,,we 
,,7 ,,(f ,a ,,telegram ,,came ,,to ,,h]1
 ,,:i* ,,%e ,,read ,,& ,,ha/ily ,,/uff$ 
,,into ,a ,,pocket ,,( ,,h] ,,rid+      
,,habit     ,,cont5ts   ,i4 ,,! ,,social
 ,,gang/]  ,,ii4 ,,! ,,cab>et ,,r\ge    
,,iii4 ,,! ,,fox ,,hunt  ,,iv4 ,,!      
,,tango ,,?ief  ,v4 ,,! ,,! ,,dansant   
,,vi4 ,,! ,,s]um ,,diagnosis  ,,vii4 ,,!
 ,,diamond ,,que5  ,,viii4 ,,!          
,,ane/hetic ,,vaporiz]  ,,ix4 ,,!       
,,twilight ,,sleep  ,x4 ,,! ,,six?      
,,s5se  ,,xi4 ,,! ,,inf]nal ,,ma*9es    
,,xii4 ,,! ,,subm>9e ,,bell  ,,xiii4 ,,!
 ,,sup]-,,tox9  ,,xiv4 ,,! ,,secret     
,,ag5ts  ,,xv4 ,,! ,,g]m ,,( ,,an?rax   
,,xvi4 ,,! ,,sleepmak]  ,,xvii4 ,,!     
,,int]-,,urban ,,h&icap  ,,xviii4 ,,!   

,,tox9 ,,( ,,fatigue  ,,xix4 ,,!        
,x-,,ray ,,detective  ,,xx4 ,,!         
,,me*anical ,,connoisseur  ,,xxi4 ,,!   
,,radiograph ,,witness  ,,xxii4 ,,!     
,,absolute ,,z]o  ,,xxiii4 ,,! ,,vacuum 
,,bottle  ,,xxiv4 ,,! ,,sol> ,,plexus   
,,xxv4 ,,! ,,demon ,,eng9e  ,,xxvi4 ,,! 
,,electrolysis ,,clew  ,,xxvii4 ,,!     
,,p]petual ,,motion ,,ma*9e  ,,xxviii4  
,,! ,,canc] ,,h\se  ,,xxix4 ,,! ,,quack 
,,doctors  ,,xxx4 ,,! ,,filt]able       
,,virus  ,,xxxi4 ,,! ,,voodoo ,,my/]y   
,,xxxii4 ,,! ,,fluorisc9e ,,te/         
,,xxxiii4 ,,! ,,respiration ,,calorimet]
  ,,xxxiv4 ,,! ,,evil ,,eye  ,,xxxv4 ,,!
 ,,buri$ ,,treasure  ,,xxxvi4 ,,! ,,we$ 
,,( ,,madness     ,,! ,,social ,,gang/] 
,,*apt] ,i  ,,! ,,social ,,gang/]   ,i'm
 s worri$ ov] ,gloria1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1
 t ,i h>dly "k :at ,i'm do+4  ,mrs4     
,brad=d ,brackett 0 "o ( ^? /unn+ wom5 (
 baffl+ age ( :om !re seem to be s _m   
n[adays4 ,"o w\ld sc>cely h believ$ t %e
 c\ld be old en\gh to h a daught] :o    
w\ld worry h] v mu*4  ,h] voice trembl$ 

& almo/ broke z %e proce$$ ) h] /ory1 &1
 look+ clos]1 ,i saw t1 at lea/ n[1 h]  
face %[$ m>ks ( anxiety t told on h] m  
?an w\ld h be5 ! case "s ye>s be=e4  ,at
 ! m5tion ( ! "n ( ,gloria ,brackett1 ,i
 saw t ,craig 0 extremely int]e/$1 ?\gh 
he did n betray x to ,mrs4 ,brackett4   
,already1 ) my nose = news ,i _h sc5t$ a
 mu* bigg] /ory ?an any t _h be5 pr9t$4 
,= ! ,bracketts _h lately be5 m or less 
9 ! news ( ! day4  ,*ok+ back a little  
suppress$ sob 9 h] ?roat1 ,mrs4         
,brackett took f a delicate gold me% bag
 & laid on ! desk be=e ,k5n$y a small   
clipp+ f ! ,lo/ & ,f\nd adv]tisem5ts 9 !
 ,/>4 ,x read3       ,,rew>d ( #aj1jjj &
 absolutely no que/ions ask$ = !        
return ( a diamond necklace ( sev5ty-"o 
/ones :i*      disappe>$ f a h\se at    
,willys ,hills1 ,long ,isl&1 la/        
,saturday or ,sunday4       ,,la ,,rue  
,,co41 ,jewel]s1      ---- ,fif? ,av5ue4
  ,i recogniz$ ! adv]tisem5t z "o t _h  
occasion$ a great deal ( comm5t on !    
,/>1 due to its peculi> nature4 ,x _h   

be5 a great my/]y1 p]haps mu* m s ?an if
 ! adv]tisem5t _h be5 word$ & sign$ 9 ! 
usual way4  ,i knew also t ! adv]tisem5t
 _h creat$ a great furore ( excitem5t & 
gossip at ! fa%ionable ,nor? ,%ore ,hunt
 ,club ( :i* ,brad=d ,brackett 0 ,ma/] (
 ,fox ,h\nds4  ,at fir/1 expla9$ ,mrs4  
,brackett n]v\sly1 ,la ,rue  ,co4 7 able
 to keep ! secret4 ,!y ev5 refus$ to let
 ! police take up ! case4 ,b z public   
int]e/ 9 ! adv]tisem5t increas$ at la/ !
 secret leak$ out--at lea/ t "p ( x :i* 
connect$ our "n ) ! loss4 ,t1 h[ev]1    
seem$ only to :et curiosity4 ,x left    
ev]ybody wond]+ :at 0 back ( x all4 ,t's
 :at we've be5 try+ to avoid--t sort (  
publicity4  ,%e paus$ a mom5t1 b ,k5n$y 
said no?+1 evid5tly ?9k+ t ! be/ safety 
valve = h] ov]wr\ght feel+s w\ld be to  
let h] tell h] /ory 9 h] own way4  ,:y1 
y "k1 %e resum$ rapidly1 to hide h]     
agitation1 ! mo/ ridicul\s ?+s h be5    
said4 ,"s p h ev5 said t we lo/ no?+ at 
all1 t x 0 all a clev] attempt at       
notoriety1 to get our names 9 ! pap]s4  

,"s h said x 0 a plan to collect !      
burgl>y insurance4 ,b we are weal?y4 ,!y
 didn't /op to ?9k h[ inconceivable t 04
 ,we h no?+ to lose1 ev5 if ! necklace  
is nev] he>d ( aga94  ,= ! mom5t h]     
indignation _h got ! bett] ( h] worry4  
,mo/ op9ions1 ,i recall$1 _h be5 f9ally 
t ! disappe>ance 0 mix$ up ) "s family  
affairs4 ,at any rate1 "h 0 to be ! real
 /ory at la/4 ,i dissembl$ my int]e/4   
,mrs4 ,brackett's indignation 0 quickly 
succe$$ by ! m poignant feel+s t _h     
br\ght h] to ,k5n$y4  ,y see1 %e        
cont9u$1 n[ almo/ sobb+1 x is really    
all1 ,i fe>1 my own fault4 ,i didn't    
realize t ,gloria 0 gr[+ s fa/ & s f>   
out ( my life4 ,i've let h] be br\ght up
 by gov]nesses & s]vants4 ,i've s5t h]  
to ! be/ s*ools ,i c\ld f9d4 ,i ?\ght x 
0 all "r4 ,b n[1 too late1 ,i realize t 
x is all wrong4 ,i hav5't kept close    
en\gh to h]4  ,%e 0 rattl+ on 9 ?is     
disjo9t$ mann]1 gett+ m & m excit$1 b   
/ill ,k5n$y made no ef=t to lead !      
conv]sation4  ,i didn't ?9k ,gloria 0 m 

?an a *ild4 ,b--:y1 ,mr4 ,k5n$y1 %e's   
be5 go+1 ,i f9d1 to ^! aft]noon dances 9
 ! city & out at a place n f> f ,willys 
,hills4  ,:at sort ( places8 prompt$    
,k5n$y4  ,! ,cab>et ,r\ge1 answ]$ ,mrs4 
,brackett1 fla%+ at u a look ( defiance 
t really mask$ fe> ( public op9ion4  ,i 
knew ( ! place4 ,x _h an extremely      
unsavory reputation4 ,9 fact !re 7 two  
places ( ! same "n1 "o 9 ! city & ! o!r 
out on ,long ,isl&4  ,mrs4 ,brackett mu/
 h se5 ,k5n$y & me ex*ange a look       
askance at ! "n4  ,oh1 x's n a "q (     
morals1 alone1 %e ha/5$4 ,aft] all1     
sometimes common s5se & fooli%ness are  
fair equival5ts = "r & wrong4  ,k5n$y   
look$ up quickly1 g5u9ely surpris$ at   
?is bit ( worldly wisdom4  ,:5 wom5 d   
/upid1 dang]\s ?+s1 tr\ble foll[s1 %e   
p]si/$1 add+1 if n at once1 a bit lat]4 
,?is is a case ( x4  ,"o c\ld n help    
feel+ sorry = ! woman & :at %e _h to    
face4  ,i _h hop$1 oh1 s de>ly1 %e w5t  
on a mom5t lat]1 t ,gloria w\ld m>ry a  
"y man :o1 ,i "k1 is devot$ to h]1 an   

,italian ( f9e family1 ,signor          
,franconi--y mu/ h he>d ( him--! inv5tor
 ( a new sy/em ( wireless transmission (
 pictures4 ,b ) su* a sc&al--h[ c we    
expect x8 ,d y "k him8  ,n p]sonally1   
?\gh ,i h he>d ( him1 return$ ,k5n$y    
briefly4  ,bo? ,craig & myself _h be5   
int]e/$ 9 reports ( 8 inv5tion1 :i* he  
call$ ! ,franconi ,telephote1 by :i* he 
claim$ to be able to telegraph ei!r ov] 
wires or by wireless light & d>k po9ts s
 rapidly & 9 su* a mann] z to deceive ! 
eye & produce at ! receiv+ end :at      
am\nt$ to a cont9u\s reproduction ( a   
picture at ! transmitt+ end4 ,at lea/1 9
 spite ( 8 society lean+s1 ,franconi 0  
no m]e dilettante inv5tor4  ,b--!       
necklace1 sugge/$ ,craig1 aft] a mom5t1 
= ! fir/ "t int]rupt+ ! r rambl+ tr5d ( 
,mrs4 ,brackett's /ory1 :at has ?is all 
to d ) ! necklace8  ,%e look$ at him    
almo/ despair+ly4 ,i don't really c>e = 
a ?\s& su* necklaces1 %e cri$4 ,x is my 
daught]--h] good "n--h]--h] safety6     
,sudd5ly %e _h become almo/ hy/]ical z  

%e ?\ght ( ! real purpose ( h] visit1   
:i* %e _h n yet be5 able to br+ h]self  
to disclose ev5 to ,k5n$y4 ,f9ally1 ) an
 ef=t1 %e manag$ to control h]self & g  
on4  ,y see1 %e said 9 a l[ tone1 almo/ 
z if %e 7 confess+ "s fault ( h] own1   
,gloria has be5 frequ5t+ ^!--re*]*e     
places1 )\t my k1 & !re %e has become   
intimate ) "s ( ! fa/e/ ( ! fa/ set4  ,y
 ask ab\t ! necklace4 ,i don't "k1 ,i   
mu/ admit4 ,has "s "o ( h] fri5ds tak5  
advantage ( h] to le>n our habits & get 
into ! h\se & get x8 ,or1 h !y put h] up
 to gett+ x8  ,! la/ qu]y 0 wrung f h] z
 if by ma9 =ce4 ,%e c\ld n ev5 brea! x  
)\t a %udd]4 ,:5 ! necklace 0 /ol51 %e  
add$ tremul\sly1 x mu/ h be5 an inside  
job1 z y detectives call x4 ,mr4        
,brackett & ,i 7 away at ! "t at a      
week-end p>ty4 ,we suppos$ ,gloria 0    
visit+ "s fri5ds 9 ! city4 ,b s9ce !n we
 h le>n$ t %e motor$ out ) "s ( h]      
dance-craz$ acqua9tances to ! ,cab>et   
,r\ge1 n f> f ,willys ,hills4 ,x mu/ h  
be5 tak5 !n--by "s ( !m4  ,! recital to 

comp>ative /rang]s1 ev5 ?\gh !y 7 to be 
tru/$ to "r ! wrong1 0 m ?an %e c\ld    
be>4 ,mrs4 ,brackett 0 n[ g5u9ely 9     
te>s1 h] %\ld]s trembl+ "u ! emotion1 z 
%e b[$ h] head4 ,h] despair &           
self-accusation w\ld really h mov$      
anyone1 mu* less 7 ne$$ to enli/ ,k5n$y4
 ,he said no?+1 b 8 look ( enc\ragem5t  
seem$ to n]ve h] up aga9 to g on4 ,%e   
=c$ back h] feel+s h]oically4  ,we put !
 adv]tisem5t t way because--well1 n[ y  
und]/& :y1 %e resum$2 !n anticipat+ our 
"q1 add$1 ,b !re has be5 no response4   
,i knew f h] tone t ev5 to h]self %e    
w\ld n admit t ,gloria might h be5      
guilty4 ,yet subconsci\sly x mu/ h be5 9
 h] m9d & %e knew x 0 9 ours4 ,h] voice 
broke aga94  ,mr4 ,brackett has         
repeat$ly ord]$ ,gloria to give up h]   
fa/ acqua9tances4 ,b %e defies him4 ,ev5
 to my plead+s %e has turn$ a deaf e>4  
,x 0 mo/ pa!tic to wat* ! work+s ( !    
"m's face z %e 0 =c$ to say ?is ( h]    
daught]4 ,all ?\ght ( ! necklace 0 lo/1 
n[4  ,i--,i want my daught] back1 %e    

almo/ wail$4  ,:o are ^! rapid y\ng/]s8 
ask$ ,craig g5tly4  ,i don't "k all (   
!m1 %e repli$4 ,!re is "y ,ritt5h\se    
,smi?2 he is "o4 ,! ,ritt5h\se ,smi?s1 y
 "k1 are a v f9e family4 ,b "y ',ritt]1'
 z ! y\ng] set call him1 is wild4 ,!y've
 _h to cut 8 all[ance two or ?ree times1
 ,i believe4 ,ano!r ( !m is ,rh9el&]    
,br[n4 ,i don't ?9k ! ,br[ns h mu*      
money1 b x is a good family4 ,oh1 %e    
add$ ) a fa9t attempt at a smile1 ,i'm n
 ! only "m :o has he>t-a*es4 ,b ! wor/ (
 x is t !re are "s pr(essionals ) :om !y
 g--a danc]1 ,rex ,du ,mond1 & a woman  
nam$ ,b]nice ,b5tley4 ,i don't "k any m 
( !m1 b ,i presume !re is a regul>      
organization ( ^! social gang/]s4  ,did 
,signor ,franconi--ev] g ) !m8 ask$     
,craig4  ,oh1 m]cy1 no1 %e ha/5$4  ,& !y
 c't seem to break ! gang up1 rum9at$   
,craig1 evid5tly lik+ h] *>act]ization (
 ! gr\p4  ,%e sigh$ deeply & wip$ away  
ano!r te>4 ,i've done :at ,i c\ld )     
,gloria4 ,i've cut h] all[ance--b x has 
done no good4 ,i'm los+ my hold on h]   

altoge!r4 ,y--y w help me--,i mean1 help
 ,gloria8 %e ask$ eag]ly1 lean+ =w>d 9  
an appeal :i* mu/ h co/ h] a great deal1
 s common is ! repression ( su* feel+s 9
 wom5 ( h] type4  ,gladly1 return$      
,k5n$y he>tily4 ,i w d any?+ 9 my p[]4  
,pr\d ?\gh %e 01 ,mrs4 ,brackett c\ld   
sc>cely murmur h] ?anks4  ,:]e c ,i see 
,gloria8 ask$ ,k5n$y f9ally4  ,%e %ook  
h] head4 ,i c't say4 ,if y want to1 y   
may see h] tomorr[1 ?\gh1 at ! drag hunt
 ( ! club4 ,my husb& says he is n go+ to
 take ,gloria's actions )\t a prote/4 ,s
 he has p]emptorily ord]$ h] to att5d ! 
meet ( ! ,hunt ,club4 ,we ?\ght x w\ld  
get h] away1 at lea/ = a "t1 f h]       
associates1 ?\gh ,i mu/ say ,i c't be   
sure t %e w obey4  ,i ?\ght ,i und]/ood1
 p>tly at lea/4 ,brad=d ,brackett's     
election z ,m4 ,f4 ,h4 _h be5 a cr[n+   
di/9ction 9 8 social c>e] & he did n    
propose to h ,gloria's escapades spoil !
 meet = him4 ,p]haps he ?\ght ?is z good
 an occasion z any to use 8 p[] to =ce  
h] back into ! circle to :i* %e         

rightfully belong$4  ,mrs4 ,brackett _h 
ris54 ,h[ c ,i ev] ?ank y8 %e exclaim$1 
ext5d+ h] h& impulsively4 ,i "k no?+ has
 be5 *ang$--yet4 ,b already ,i feel     
bett]4  ,i %all d :at ,i c2 dep5d on me1
 reit]at$ ,k5n$y mode/ly4 ,if ,i c d    
no?+ be=e1 ,i %all be out at ! ,hunt    
,club tomorr[--p]haps ,i %all be !re    
anyh[4  ,?is is a mo/ peculi> situation1
 ,i rem>k$ a few m9utes lat]1 z ,mrs4   
,brackett 0 :isk$ away f ! laboratory   
door 9 h] motor4  ,inde$ x is1 return$  
,k5n$y1 pac+ up & d[n1 8 face wr9kl$ )  
?\ght4 ,i don't "k :e!r ,i feel m l a   
detective or a spiritual advis]4 ,he    
pull$ out 8 wat*4 ,half-pa/ f\r1 he     
consid]$4 ,i'd l to h a look at t       
,cab>et ,r\ge "h 9 t[n4     ,,*apt] ,,ii
  ,,! ,,cab>et ,,r\ge   ,x 0 a p]fect   
autumn aft]noon1 "o ( ^? days :5 "o :o  
is normal feels ! call to get out (     
doors & enjoy :at is left ( ! f9e wea!r 
be=e ! onset ( w9t]4 ,we /rode along 9 !
 brac+ air until at la/ we turn$ into   
,broadway at ! upp] end ( :at might be  

call$ ,automobile ,r[4 ,motor c>s &     
taxicabs 7 buzz+ along 9 an endless     
/ream1 mo/ ( !m fill$ ) wom51 g[n$ &    
bonnet$ 9 ! late/ mode4  ,be=e ! g>i%   
entrance ( ! ,cab>et ,r\ge !y seem$ to  
pile up & dis*>ge _! fem99e c>goes4 ,we 
ent]$ & 7 quickly engulf$ 9 ! tide (    
eag] pleasure seek]s4 ,a h&some &       
judici\s tip to ! head wait] secur$ u a 
table at ! f> end ( a sort ( mezzan9e   
gall]y1 f :i* we c\ld look d[n ov] a    
rail+ at ! v>i\s gr\ps at ! little :ite 
tables bel[4 ,!re we sat1 c>eful to sp5d
 ! necess>y money to entitle u to /ay1 =
 to ! av]age ,new ,york] ! te/ seems to 
be n s mu* :at "o is gett+ = x z h[ mu* 
money is sp5t :5 out = a good "t4       
,smoo? & glitt]+ on ! surface1 l its    
little poli%$ danc+ floor 9 ! middle ( !
 squ>es ( tables d[n/airs1 ! ,cab>et    
,r\ge1 "o c\ld see1 _h trea*]\s         
und]curr5ts unsuspect$ until an insight 
su* z we _h j _h reveal$ !m4  ,! v      
atmosph]e seem$ vibrant ) laught] &     
music4 ,a /r+ b& play$ %>p1 /accato1    

highly acc5tuat$ music1 a b& ( negroes z
 9 _m ( ! %[y & high-pric$ places :]e a 
ke5 s5se ( rhy?m 0 want$4 ,all ar\nd u  
wom5 7 smok+ cig>ettes4 ,ev]y:]e !y 7   
sipp+ exp5sive dr9ks4 ,in/9ctively "o   
felt ! und]t[ 9 ! v atmosph]e4  ,i      
wond]$ :o !y 7 & :]e !y all came f1 ^!  
exp5sively dress$1 app>5tly ref9$ ?\gh  
p]haps only v5e]$ girls1 :irl+ ab\t ) ! 
pleasante/ look+ "y m5 :o exp]tly guid$ 
!m ?r\gh ! mazes ( ! fox-trot & ! cant] 
waltz & a doz5 o!r /eps ,i knew n (4    
,?is 0 "o ( ,new ,york's late/ & mo/    
approv$ devices to beguile ! languid    
aft]noons ( ladies ( leisure4  ,!re %e  
is1 po9t$ out ,k5n$y f9ally4 ,i         
recognize h] f ! pictures ,i've se54  ,i
 foll[$ ! direction ( 8 eyes4 ,! music  
_h />t$ & out on ! floor twi/+ 9 & out  
among ! cr[d$ c\ples 0 "o pair t seem$  
to attract m att5tion ?an ! re/4 ,!y _h 
come f a gay p>ty seat$ 9 a little lea!r
 cozy corn] l sev]al ab\t ! room1       
evid5tly res]v$ = !m1 = ! cozy corn]s   
seem$ to be mu* 9 dem&4  ,gloria 0 well 

nam$4 ,%e 0 a /rik+ girl1 n mu* ov]     
n9ete5 surely1 tall1 lissome1 precisely 
! figure t ! mod]n dances mu/ h be5     
especially design$ to set (f4 ,i wat*$  
h] att5tively4 ,9 fact ,i c\ld sc>cely  
believe ! impression ,i 0 ga9+ ( h]4    
,already "o c\ld actually see on h] m>ks
 ( dissipation4 ,"o does n readily ?9k (
 a girl z s[+ h] wild oats4 ,yet !y (t5 
d4 ,?is is "o ( ! /range anomalies ( !  
new fre$om ( woman4 ,a few ye>s ago su* 
a place w\ld h be5 nei!r s dec5t nor    
attractive4 ,n[ x 0 sup]ficially bo?4   
,to x w5t ^? :o nev] w\ld h d>$ ov]/ep !
 /rictly conv5tional 9 ! evil days :5 ! 
re=m] 0 n abroad 9 ! l&4  ,i wat*$      
,gloria n>r[ly4 ,cle>ly "h 0 an example 
( a girl attract$ by ! glamor ( ! life &
 flatt]y ( its satellites4 ,:at ! end ( 
x all might be ,i pref]r$ n to guess4   
,craig 0 look+ ab\t at ! v>iegat$ cr[d4 
,sudd5ly he jogg$ my elb[4 ,!re1 j ar\nd
 ! turn ( ! rail+ ( ! gall]y1 sat a "y  
man1 d>k ( hair & eyes1 ( a r di/+ui%$  
=eign appe>ance1 8 face set 9 a sc[l z  

he look$ d[n on ! heads ( ! danc]s4 ,"o 
c\ld h foll[$ ! tortu\s c\rse ( ,gloria 
& h] p>tn] by 8 eyes1 :i* ! man nev]    
took (f h]1 ev5 foll[+ h] back to !     
table 9 ! corn] :5 ! encore ( ! dance 0 
f9i%$4  ,! "y man's face at lea/ 0      
famili> to me1 ?\gh ,i _h n met him4 ,x 
0 ,signor ,franconi1 quietly wat*+      
,gloria & h] gay p>ty4  ,aft] a few     
mom5ts1 ,craig rose1 paid 8 *eck1 & mov$
 ov] to ! table :]e ,franconi 0 sitt+   
alone4 ,he introduc$ himself &          
,franconi1 ) easy polit5ess1 invit$ u to
 jo9 him4  ,i /udi$ ! man's face        
att5tively4 ,signor ,franconi 0 /ill "y1
 9 spite ( ! honors t _h be5 %[]$ on him
 = 8 _m inv5tions4 ,i _h wond]$ be=e :y 
su* a man w\ld be int]e/$ 9 a girl (    
,gloria's evid5t type4 ,b z ,i /udi$ him
 ,i fanci$ ,i und]/ood4 ,to 8 s]i\s m9d 
x 0 j ! butt]fly type t (f]$ ! greate/  
relief4 ,an intellectual woman w\ld h   
be5 m]ely c>ry+ into ano!r sph]e !      
problems ) :i* he 0 m ?an capable (     
wre/l+4 ,b !re 0 no l9e ( approval 9 8  

f9e face ( ! butt]fly & c&le-s+e+       
process t 0 go+ on "h4 ,i mu/ say ,i    
he>tily lik$ him4  ,:at are y work+ on  
n[8 ask$ ,k5n$y z a prelim9>y /ep to    
draw+ him out aga9/ ! "t :5 we might    
become bett] acqua9t$ & put !           
conv]sation on a firm] basis4  ,a sy/em 
( wireless transmission ( pictures1 he  
return$ me*anically4 ,i ?9k ,i h va/ly  
improv$ ! sy/em ( ,dr4 ,korn4 ,y are    
famili> ) x1 ,i presume8  ,k5n$y nodd$4 
,i h se5 x "w1 he said simply4  ,t      
telephotograph app>atus1 ,i rememb]$1   
dep5d$ on ! ability ( ! elem5t sel5ium  
to v>y ! /r5g? ( an electric curr5t     
pass+ ?r\gh x 9 proportion to !         
brightness ) :i* ! sel5ium is illum9at$4
  ,t sy/em1 he resum$1 speak+ z ?\gh 8  
m9d 0 n on ! subject p>ticul>ly j n[1   
produces positive pictures at "o end ( !
 app>atus by ! successive transmission (
 _m small p>ts sep>ately4 ,i h h>ness$ !
 alt]nat+ curr5t 9 a br&-new way1 ,i    
?9k4 ,in/ead ( prolong+ ! op]ation1 ,i d
 x all at once1 project+ ! image on a   

%eet ( t9y sel5ium cells4 ,my "w is     
done4 ,n[ ! ?+ to d is to conv9ce ! _w (
 t4  ,!n y h ! telephote 9 actual       
op]ation8 ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,yes1 he repli$4
 ,i h a little /ation d[n on ! %ore ( ! 
s\? side ( ! isl&4 ,he h&$ u a c>d on   
:i* he wrote ! address at ,s\? ,side    
,bea*4 ,t w admit y !re at any "t1 if ,i
 %\ld n be ab\t4 ,i am te/+ x out !re--h
 sev]al in/rum5ts on transatlantic l9]s4
 ,we ?9k x may be ( use 9 w>--s5d+      
plans1 photographs ( spies--& su* ?+s4  
,he /opp$ sudd5ly4 ,! music _h />t$ aga9
 & ,gloria 0 aga9 out on ! danc+ floor4 
,x 0 evid5t t at ?is v important "t 9 8 
c>e] ,franconi's m9d 0 on o!r ?+s4      
,ev]yone seems to become easily acqua9t$
 ) ev]yone else "h1 rem>k$ ,craig1 b5d+ 
ov] ! rail4  ,i suppose "o _c dance )\t 
p>tn]s1 return$ ,franconi abs5tly4  ,we 
cont9u$ to wat* ! danc]s4 ,i knew en\gh 
( ^! "y fell[s1 m]ely by _! looks1 to   
see t mo/ ( !m 7 ess5tial replicas ( "o 
type4 ,c]ta9ly mo/ ( !m c\ld h qualifi$ 
z social gang/]s1 )\t scruples1 )\t     

visible means ( support1 )\t "* or      
cr$it1 b n )\t a c]ta9 vici\s k9d (     
ambition4  ,!y seem$ to h an unlimit$   
capacity = danc+1 freak foods1 joy      
rides1 & clo!s4 ,clo!s 7 to !m :at a    
jimmy is to a burgl>4 ,_! ,engli% coats 
7 s tight t "o wond]$ h[ !y b5t & sway$ 
)\t bur/+4 ,sm>t clo!s & sm>t mann]s su*
 z !y affect$ 7 v fasc9at+ to "s wom54  
,:o are !y all1 d y suppose8 ,i qu]i$4  
,all sorts & conditions1 return$ ,k5n$y4
 ,wall ,/reet fell[s ^: pocketbooks h   
be5 ?9n$ by dull times on ! ,ex*ange2   
actors out ( engagem5ts1 law cl]ks1 "s (
 !m ev5 college /ud5ts4 ,!y seem to be a
 new class4 ,i don't ?9k ( any o!r way  
!y c\ld pick up a liv+ m easily ?an by  
?is polite p>asitism4 ,none ( !m h any  
money4 ,!y don't get any?+ f ! own] ( ! 
cab>et1 ( c\rse1 except p]haps ! "r to  
sign *ecks = a limit$ am\nt 9 ! hope t  
!y may attract new bus9ess4 ,x's graft+1
 pure & simple4 ,! wom5 are _! dupes2 !y
 pay ! bills--& ev5 n[ & !n some?+ =    
'private lessons' 9 danc+ 9 a '/udio4'  

,franconi 0 divid+ 8 att5tion betwe5 :at
 ,k5n$y 0 say+ & wat*+ ,gloria & h]     
p>tn]1 :o seem$ to be a lead] ( ! type  
,i h j describ$1 tall & sp>e z mu/ be ! 
successful danc+ m5 ( today4  ,!re's a  
fell[ nam$ ,du ,mond1 he put 94  ,:o is 
he8 ask$ ,craig1 z ?\gh we _h nev] he>d 
( him4  ,to borr[ "o ( y\r ,am]icanisms1
 return$ ,franconi1 ,i ?9k he's ! man :o
 puts ! 'tang' 9 tango4 ,f :at ,i he>1  
?\gh1 ,i ?9k he borr[s ! 'fox' f        
fox-trot & plucks ! fea!rs f ! 'lame    
duck4'  ,k5n$y smil$1 b imm$iately      
became int]e/$ 9 a tall blonde girl :o  
_h be5 talk+ to ,du ,mond j be=e ! danc+
 began4 ,i notic$ t %e 0 n danc+1 b /ood
 9 ! backgr\nd mo/ ( ! "t giv+ a subtle 
look ( appraisal to ! m5 :o sat at      
tables & ! girls :o also sat alone4 ,n[ 
& !n %e w\ld move f "o table to ano!r ) 
t easy1 graceful glide :i* %[$ %e _h be5
 a danc] f girlhood4 ,always aft] su* an
 excursion we saw o!r c\ples :o _h be5  
wat*+ 9 lonely wi/fulness1 n[ made happy
 by a *ance to jo9 ! ?rong4  ,:o is t   

woman8 ,i ask$4  ,i believe h] "n is    
,b]nice ,b5tley1 repli$ ,franconi4 ,%e's
 !--well1 !y call h] ! (ficial ho/ess--a
 sort ( introduc]4 ,t's ! reason :y1 z y
 obs]v$1 !re is no lack ( fri5dl9ess &  
p>tn]s4 ,%e j arranges introductions1 v 
tactfully1 ( c\rse1 = %e's exp]i5c$4  ,i
 reg>d$ h] ) a/oni%m5t4 ,i _h nev]      
dream$ t su* a ?+ 0 possible1 ev5 9     
cosmopolitan ,new ,york4 ,:at c\ld ^!   
wom5 be ?9k+ (8 ,"s ( !m look$ m ?an    
capable ( tak+ c>e ( !mselves1 b !re mu/
 be _m1 l ,gloria1 :o 7 n4 ,:at did !y  
"k ( ! m51 except _! clo!s & /eps8  ,s(t
 %oe work]s1 tango t\ts1 mutt]$ ,k5n$y  
"u 8 brea?4  ,z we wat*$ we saw a sl5d]1
 r ref9$-look+ girl come 9 & sit quietly
 at a table 9 ! re>4 ,i wond]$ :at !    
(ficial introduc] w\ld d ab\t h] &      
wait$4 ,sure en\gh1 x 0 n long be=e     
,miss ,b5tley appe>$ ) "o ( ! danc+ m5 9
 t[4 ,to my surprise ! ho/ess 0 coldly  
turn$ d[n4 ,:at x 0 t happ5$ ,i did n   
"k1 b x 0 evid5t t a *ange _h tak5      
place4 ,unobtrusively ,b]nice ,b5tley   

seem$ to cat* ! rov+ eye ( ,du ,mond    
:ile he 0 danc+ & direct x t[>d ! little
 table4 ,i saw 8 face flu% sudd5ly & a  
mom5t lat] he manag$ to "w ,gloria ab\t 
to ! opposite side ( ! danc+ floor &1   
?\gh ! music _h n /opp$1 on "s pretext  
or o!r to jo9 ! p>ty 9 ! corn] aga94    
,gloria did n want to /op danc+1 b x    
seem$ z if ,du ,mond ex]cis$ "s sort (  
influ5ce ov] h]1 = %e did j z he wi%$4  
,0 %e really afraid ( him8 ,:o 0 !      
little woman :o _h be5 l a skeleton at a
 fea/8  ,almo/ be=e we knew x1 x seem$ t
 ! little p>ty _h tir$ ( ! ,cab>et      
,r\ge4 ,( c\rse we c\ld he> no?+1 b x   
seem$ z if ,du ,mond 7 propos+ some?+ & 
_h c>ri$ 8 po9t4 ,at any rate ! wait] 0 
s5t on a my/]i\s excursion & ! p>ty made
 z ?\gh !y 7 prep>+ to leave4  ,little  
_h be5 said by ei!r ,franconi or        
ourselves1 b x 0 by a sort ( in/9ct t   
we1 too1 paid our *eck & mov$ d[n to !  
coat room ahead ( !m4 ,9 an angle we    
wait$1 until ,gloria & h] p>ty appe>$4  
,du ,mond 0 n ) !m4 ,we look$ out ( !   

door4 ,be=e ! cab>et /ood a sm>t hir$   
lim\s9e :i* 0 evid5tly ,gloria's4 ,%e   
w\ld n h d>$ use h] own motor on su* an 
excursion4  ,!y drove (f )\t see+ u & a 
mom5t lat] ,du ,mond & ,b]nice ,b5tley  
appe>$4  ,?ank y = ! tip1 ,i he>d him   
:isp]4 ,i ?\ght ! be/ ?+ 0 to get !m    
away )\t me4 ,i'll cat* !m 9 a taxi     
lat]4 ,y're (f at sev58 ,ritt] w call = 
y8 ,!n we'll wait & all g out toge!r4   
,x's saf] out !re4  ,j :at x all meant  
,i c\ld n say1 b x int]e/$ me to "k t "y
 ,ritt] ,smi? & ,b]nice ,b5tley seem$ on
 su* good t]ms4 ,evid5tly ! gay p>ty 7  
transf]r+ ! sc5e ( _! gayety to ! c\ntry
 place ( ! ,cab>et ,r\ge4 ,b :y8  ,we   
p>t$ at ! door ) ,franconi1 :o repeat$ 8
 invitation to visit 8 %op d[n at !     
bea*4  ,i />t$ to foll[ ,franconi out1 b
 ,k5n$y drew me back4 ,:y did y suppose 
,i let !m g8 he expla9$ "u 8 brea?1 z we
 retreat$ to ! angle aga94 ,i want$ to  
wat* t little woman :o came 9 alone4    
,we _h n long to wait4 ,sc>cely _h ,du  
,mond disappe>$ :5 %e came out & /ood 9 

! entrance :ile a boy summon$ a taxicab 
= h]4  ,k5n$y improv$ ! opportunity by  
call+ ano!r = u & by ! "t %e 0 ready to 
drive (f we 7 able to foll[ h]4 ,%e     
drove to ! ,pr9ce ,h5ry ,hotel1 :]e %e  
dismiss$ ! ma*9e & ent]$4 ,we did !     
same4  ,by ! way1 ask$ ,k5n$y casually1 
saunt]+ up to ! desk aft] %e _h /opp$ to
 get h] keys & a lett]1 c y tell me :o t
 woman 08  ,! cl]k ran 8 f+] d[n ! names
 on ! regi/]4 ,at la/ he paus$ & turn$ !
 book ar\nd to u4 ,8 f+] indicat$3 ,mrs4
 ,ka!r9e ,du ,mond1 ,*icago4  ,k5n$y &  
,i look$ at ea* o!r 9 amazem5t4 ,du     
,mond 0 m>ri$ & 8 wife 0 9 t[n4 ,%e _h n
 made a sc5e4 ,%e _h m]ely wat*$4 ,:at  
c\ld h be5 m evid5t ?an t %e 0 seek+    
evid5ce & su* evid5ce c\ld only h be5 = 
a c\rt ( law 9 a divorce suit8 ,!       
possibilities :i* ! situation op5$ up = 
,gloria seem$ frightful4  ,we left !    
hotel & ,k5n$y hurri$ d[n ,broadway1    
turn+ (f at ! (fice ( a "y detective1   
,*ase1 :om he us$ (t5 on matt]s ( pure  
r\t9e = :i* he _h no "t4  ,*ase1 he     

in/ruct$1 :5 we 7 seat$ 9 ! (fice1 y    
recall t adv]tisem5t ( ! lo/ necklace 9 
! ,/> by ,la ,rue  ,co48  ,! "y man     
nodd$4 ,ev]yone knew x4 ,well1 resum$   
,k5n$y1 ,i want y to se>* ! pawn%ops1   
p>ticul>ly ^? ( ! ,t5d]lo91 = any trace 
y c f9d ( x4 ,let me "k1 if x is only a 
rumor4  ,!re 0 no?+ m t we c\ld d t     
night1 ?\gh ,k5n$y f\nd out ov] !       
telephone1 by a ruse1 t1 z he suspect$1 
! c\ntry place ( ! ,cab>et ,r\ge 0 !    
objective ( ! gay p>ty :i* we _h se54   
,,*apt] ,,iii  ,,! ,,fox ,,hunt   ,!    
next day 0 t ( ! hunt & we motor$ out to
 ! ,nor? ,%ore ,hunt ,club4 ,x 0 a      
spl5did day & ! ride 0 j en\gh to put an
 edge on ! meet t 0 to foll[4  ,we pull$
 up at la/ be=e ! rambl+ colonial build+
 :i* ! ,hunt ,club boa/$ z its home4    
,mrs4 ,brackett 0 wait+ = u already )   
horses f ! ,brackett /ables4  ,i'm s    
glad y came1 %e greet$ u aside4 ,gloria 
is "h--"u prote/4 ,t "y man ov] !re1    
talk+ to h]1 is ,ritt] ,smi?4 ',rh9e'   
,br[n1 z !y call him1 0 ab\t a mom5t    

ago--oh1 yes1 !re he is1 com+ ov] on t  
*e/nut m>e to talk to !m4 ,i want$ y to 
see !m "h4 ,aft] ! hunt1 if y c>e to1 ,i
 ?9k y might g ov] to ! ,cab>et ,r\ge   
out "h4 ,y might f9d out some?+4  ,%e 0 
evid5tly q pr\d ( h] h&some daught] & t 
any?+ %\ld come up to smir* h] "n cut h]
 deeply4  ,! ,hunt ,club 0 a swagg]     
organization1 ev5 9 ^! deg5]ate days :5 
f>m]s w n tol]ate brok5 f5ces & trampl$ 
crops1 & :5 democratic ideas int]f]e    
sadly ) ! follies ( ! ri*4 ,9 a cap ) a 
big peak1 a sc>let hunt+ coat & :ite    
bree*es ) top boots1 ,brackett himself  
made a /rik+ figure ( ,m4 ,f4 ,h4  ,!re 
7 ?irty or =ty 9 ! field1 ! m5 9 silk   
hats4 ,= ! mo/ "p "o c\ld n see t ! m5  
treat$ ,gloria mu* diff]5tly4 ,b x 0    
evid5t t ! wom5 did4 ,9 fact ! coldness 
ev5 ext5d$ to h] "m1 :o w\ld lit]ally h 
be5 froz5 out if x _h n be5 = h]        
quasi-(ficial position4 ,i c\ld see n[ t
 x 0 also a fight = ,mrs4 ,brackett's   
social life4  ,z we wat*$ ,gloria1 we   
c\ld see t ,franconi 0 hov]+ ar\nd1     

unsuccessfully try+ to get an           
opportunity to say a ^w to h] alone4 ,j 
be=e we 7 (f a telegram came to h]1 :i* 
%e read & ha/ily /uff$ into a pocket (  
h] rid+ habit4  ,b t 0 all t happ5$ & ,i
 fell to /udy+ ! v>i\s types ( human    
nature1 f ! beg9n] :o rode v h>d & v    
badly & made himself g5]ally odi\s to ! 
,m4 ,f4 ,h41 to ! old season$ hunt] :o  
talk$ ( ! old days ( real foxes & h[ he 
us$ to "k all ! %ort cuts to ! cov]ts4  
,x 0 a ke51 crisp day4 ,already a man _h
 be5 ov] ! field pull+ along ! gr\nd a  
little bag ( anise$1 & n[ ! hunt 0 ab\t 
to />t4  ,noses d[n1 /]ns fea!r+ zigzag 
ov] ! gr\nd1 sniff+ e>? & leaves &      
grass1 ! h\nds 7 br\ght up4 ,"o seem$ to
 get a good :iff ( ! trail & lift$ 8    
head ) a half yelp1 half :9e1 high      
pit*$1 fr5zi$1 nev]-to-be-=gott54 ,o!rs 
jo9$ 9 ! music4 ,gone away6 s\nd$ a     
huntsman z if !re 7 a real fox4 ,we 7 (f
 aft] !m4 ,drag h\nds1 h[ev]1 = ! mo/ "p
 run mute & v fa/1 s t t picturesque    
feature 0 miss+4 ,b ! light soil & rail 

f5ces ( ,long ,isl& 7 ideal = drag      
hunt+4 ,nor 0 x s easy z x seem$ to     
foll[4 ,also !re 0 ! spice ( dang]1 risk
 to ! hunt]s1 ! horses & ! dogs4  ,we   
w5t = f\r or five miles4 ,!n !re 0 a    
*eck = ! /raggl]s to come up4 ,"s _h    
fre% m\nts1 & all ( u 7 glad ( ! brea?+ 
space :ile ! ,m4 ,f4 ,h4 held ! h\nds4  
,:ile we wait$ we saw t ,mrs4 ,brackett 
0 rid+ ab\t quickly1 z if some?+ 7 on h]
 m9d4 ,a mom5t %e /opp$ to speak to h]  
husb&1 !n gallop$ ov] to u4  ,h] face 0 
almo/ :ite4 ,gloria hasn't come up ) !  
re/6 %e exclaim$ brea?lessly4  ,already 
,brackett _h told ^? ab\t him & all 0   
confusion4 ,x 0 only a mom5t :5 ! memb]s
 ( ! hunt 7 sc\r+ ! c\ntry ov] :i* we _h
 pass$1 ) some?+ really def9ite to f9d4 
,k5n$y did n pause4 ,come on1 ,walt]1 he
 %\t$1 /rik+ out d[n ! road1 ) me h>d   
aft] him4  ,we pull$ up be=e a road-h\se
 ( rem>kable qua9tness & luxury (       
appo9tm5t1 "o ( ! hundr$s ab\t ,new     
,york :i* ! automobile has recreat$4    
,be=e x swung ! wea!r$ sign3 ,cab>et    

,r\ge4  ,to our hurri$ inquiries !      
manag] admitt$ t ,du ,mond _h be5 !re1 b
 alone1 & _h left1 also alone4 ,gloria  
_h n come !re4  ,a mom5t lat] s\nds (   
ho(s on ! h>d road int]rupt$ u & ,ritt] 
,smi? da%$ up4  ,j ov]took a f>m] d[n ! 
road1 he pant$4 ,says he saw an         
automobile wait+ at ! /one bridge & lat]
 x pass$ him ) a girl & a man 9 x4 ,he  
c\ldn't recognize !m4 ,! top 0 up & !y  
w5t s fa/4  ,toge!r we retrac$ ! way to 
! /one bridge4 ,sure en\gh1 !re on !    
side ( ! road 7 m>ks :]e a c> _h pull$  
up4 ,! grass ab\t 0 trampl$ & z we se>*$
 ,k5n$y rea*$ d[n & pick$ up some?+     
:ite4 ,at lea/ x _h be5 :ite4 ,b n[ x 0 
spott$ ) fre% blood1 z ?\gh someone _h  
tri$ to /op a nose-ble$4  ,he look$ at x
 m closely4 ,9 ! corn] 0 embroid]$ a    
little ,g4  ,evid5tly !re _h be5 a      
/ruggle & a c> _h :izz$ (f4 ,gloria 0   
gone4 ,b ) :om8 ,_h ! message :i* we _h 
se5 h] read at ! />t be5 f ,du ,mond8 ,0
 ! plan to elope & s avoid 8 wife8 ,!n  
:y ! /ruggle8  ,absolutely no?+ m       

develop$ f ! se>*4 ,an al>m 0 at once   
s5t out & ! police all ov] ! c\ntry     
notifi$4 ,!re 0 no?+ to d n[ b wait4    
,mrs4 ,brackett 0 frantic4 ,b x 0 n n[ !
 sc&al t worri$ h]4 ,x 0 ,gloria's      
safety4  ,t night1 9 ! laboratory1      
,k5n$y took ! h&k]*ief & ) ! blood on x 
made a mo/ peculi> te/ be=e a           
/range-look+ little in/rum5t4  ,x seem$ 
to consi/ ( a little cyl9d] ( glass     
imm]s$ 9 wat] kept at ! temp]ature ( !  
body4 ,betwe5 two m9ute wire p9c]s or   
s]res1 9 ! cyl9d]1 0 a v small piece (  
"s tissue4 ,to ! l[] s]re 0 atta*$ a    
?read4 ,! upp] "o 0 atta*$ to a sort (  
lev] end+ 9 a p5 t mov$ ov] a rul$ c>d4 
,e emotion1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y z he wat*$ !  
movem5t ( ! p5 9 f9e zigzag l9es ov] !  
c>d1 produces its physiological effect4 
,fe>1 rage1 pa91 hung] are primitive    
exp]i5ces1 ! mo/ p[]ful t det]m9e !     
actions ( man4 ,i suppose y h he>d ( !  
rec5t /udies ( ,dr4 ,walt] ,cannon (    
,h>v>d ( ! gr\p ( rem>kable alt]ations 9
 bodily economy "u emotion8  ,i nodd$ & 

,k5n$y resum$4 ,on ! surface "o may see 
! effect ( blood vessels contract+1 9   
pallor2 "o may see cold sweat1 or !     
saliva /op :5 ! tongue cleaves to ! ro( 
( ! m\?1 or "o may see ! pupils dilate1 
hairs raise1 respiration become quick1  
or ! beat+ ( ! he>t1 or trembl+ ( !     
muscles1 notably ! lips4 ,b "o _c see   
su* evid5ces ( emotion if he is n pres5t
 at ! "t4 ,h[ c we recon/ruct !m8  ,he  
paus$ a mom5t1 !n resum$4 ,!re are      
organs hidd5 deep 9 ! body :i* d n      
reveal s easily ! emotions4 ,b ! effect 
(t5 outla/s ! actual emotion4 ,!re are  
special me?ods by :i* "o c /udy !       
feel+s4 ,t is :at ,i h be5 do+ "h4  ,b  
h[ c y8 ,i qu]i$4  ,!re is :at is call$ 
! sympa!tic n]v\s sy/em1 he expla9$4    
,above ! kidney !re are also gl&s call$ 
! supr>5al :i* excrete a sub/ance kn[n z
 adr594 ,9 extraord9>ily small am\nts   
adr59 affects ?is sympa!tic sy/em4 ,9   
emotions ( v>i\s k9ds a reflex action is
 s5t to ! supr>5al gl&s :i* causes a    
p\r+ into ! blood ( adr594  ,on !       

h&k]*ief ( ,gloria ,brackett ,i obta9$  
pl5ty ( comp>atively fre% blood4 ,"h 9  
?is ma*9e ,i h betwe5 ^! two p9c]s a    
m9ute segm5t ( rabbit inte/9e4  ,he     
)drew ! solution f ! cyl9d] ) a pipette1
 !n introduc$ "s m ( ! dissolv$ blood f 
! h&k]*ief4 ,! fir/ effect 0 a /rong    
contraction ( ! rabbit inte/9e1 !n 9 a  
m9ute or s ! contractions became fairly 
ev5 ) ! base l9e on ! c>d4  ,su* tissue1
 he rem>k$1 is noticeably affect$ by ev5
 "o "p 9 ov] a million ( adr594 ,see4   
,"h1 by ! writ+ lev]1 ! rhy?mical       
contractions are record$4 ,su* a /rip ( 
tissue w live = h\rs1 w contract & relax
 beautifully ) a regul> rhy?m :i*1 z y  
see1 c be graphically record$4 ,?is is  
my adr59 te/4  ,c>efully he )drew ! rul$
 pap] ) its trac+s4  ,x's a v simple te/
 aft] all1 he said1 lay+ beside ?is     
trac+ ano!r :i* he _h made previ\sly4   
,!re y see ! diff]5ce betwe5 :at ,i may 
call 'quiet blood' & 'excit$ blood4'  ,i
 look$ at ! two sets ( trac+s4 ,?\gh !y 
7 m>k$ly diff]5t1 ,i did n1 ( c\rse1    

und]/& :at !y meant4 ,:at d !y %[ to an 
exp]t8 ,i ask$1 p]plex$4  ,fe>1 he      
answ]$ laconically4 ,gloria ,brackett   
did n g volunt>ily4 ,%e did n elope4 ,%e
 0 =c$ to g6  ,attack$ & c>ri$ (f8 ,i   
qu]i$4  ,i did n say t1 he repli$4      
,p]haps our orig9al !ory t h] nose 0    
ble$+ may be correct4 ,x might h />t$ 9 
! excitem5t1 ! ang] & fe> at :at happ5$1
 :atev] x 04 ,c]ta9ly ! am\nt ( adr59 9 
h] blood %[s t %e 0 labor+ "u /rong     
en\gh emotion4  ,our telephone rang     
insi/5tly & ,k5n$y answ]$ x4 ,z he      
talk$1 al?\gh ,i c\ld he> only "o side (
 ! conv]sation1 ,i knew t ! message 0 f 
,*ase & t he _h f\nd some?+ important   
ab\t ! miss+ necklace4  ,:at 0 x8 ,i    
ask$ eag]ly z he hung up ! receiv]4     
,*ase has trac$ ! necklace1 he report$2 
t is1 he has discov]$ ! sep>ate /ones1  
unset1 pawn$ 9 sev]al %ops4 ,! tickets 7
 issu$ to a girl ^: description exactly 
fits ,gloria ,brackett4  ,i c\ld only   
/>e at him4 ,:at we _h all fe>$ _h      
actually tak5 place4 ,gloria mu/ h tak5 

! necklace h]self4 ,?\gh we _h fe>$ x & 
tri$ to disc\nt x1 nev]!less ! c]ta9ty  
came z a %ock4  ,:y %\ld %e h tak5 x8 ,i
 consid]$4  ,= _m possible reasons1     
return$ ,k5n$y4 ,y saw ! life %e 0      
lead+4 ,h] own income probably w5t to   
keep+ ^? h>pies go+4 ,besides1 h] "m _h 
cut h] all[ance4 ,%e may h ne$$ money v 
badly4  ,p]haps !y _h run h] into debt1 
,i agre$1 ?\gh ! ?\ght 0 disagreeable4  
,h[ ab\t t o!r little woman we saw8     
sugge/$ ,k5n$y4 ,y rememb] h[ ,gloria   
seem$ to /& 9 fe> ( ,du ,mond8 ,:o kn[s 
b t he made h] get x to save h]         
reputation8 ,a girl 9 ,gloria's position
 might d _m fooli% ?+s4 ,b to be nam$ z 
co-respond5t1 t w\ld be fatal4  ,!re 0 n
 mu* com=t to be _h by ei!r alt]native1 
& we sat = a mom5t reg>d+ ea* o!r 9     
sil5ce4  ,sudd5ly ! door op5$4 ,mrs4    
,brackett ent]$4 ,nev] h ,i se5 a great]
 contra/ 9 s %ort a "t ?an t betwe5 !   
/rik+ society matron :o fir/ call$ on u 
& ! brok5 woman n[ be=e u4 ,%e 0 a      
pa!tic figure z ,k5n$y plac$ an easy    

*air = h]4  ,:y1 :at's ! matt]8 ask$    
,k5n$y4 ,h y he>d any?+ new8  ,%e did n 
answ] directly1 b sil5tly h&$ him a     
yell[ slip ( pap]4 ,on a telegraph blank
 7 writt5 simply ! words1 ,don't try to 
foll[ me4 ,i've gone to be a w> nurse4  
,:5 ,i make good ,i w let y "k4 ,gloria4
  ,we look$ at ea* o!r 9 blank amazem5t4
 ,t 0 h>dly an easy way to trace h]4 ,h[
 c\ld "o ev] f9d out n[ :]e %e 01 9 !   
pres5t /ate ( affairs abroad1 ev5       
suppos+ x 7 n a ruse to cov] up some?+8 
,someh[ ,i felt t ! message did n tell !
 /ory4 ,:]e 0 ,du ,mond8 ,_h he fl$1    
too1--p]haps =c$ h] to g ) him :5 ,mrs4 
,du ,mond appe>$8 ,! message did n      
expla9 ! /ruggle & ! fe>4  ,oh1 ,mr4    
,k5n$y1 plead$ ,mrs4 ,brackett1 all     
?\ght ( h] =m] pride gone1 z %e actually
 held out h] h&s implor+ly & almo/ fell 
on h] knees1 c't y f9d h]--c't y d      
some?+8  ,h y a photograph ( ,gloria8 he
 ask$ hurri$ly4  ,yes1 %e cri$ eag]ly1  
rea*+ into h] me% bag & draw+ "o out4 ,i
 c>ry x ) me always4 ,:y8  ,come1       

exclaim$ ,k5n$y1 seiz+ x4 ,x occurs to  
me t x is n[ or nev] t ?is device (     
,franconi's mu/ prove t x is "s good4   
,if %e really w5t1 %e wa/$ no "t4 ,!re's
 j a b>e *ance t ! telephote has be5    
plac$ on "s ( ^! vessels t are c>ry+    
munitions abroad4 ,franconi says t he   
has develop$ x = its w> value4  ,z fa/ z
 ,mrs4 ,brackett's *auffeur c\ld drive  
u1 we motor$ d[n to ,s\? ,side ,bea* &  
s\ght out ! little work%op directly on !
 ocean :]e ,franconi _h told u t we %\ld
 always be welcome4  ,he 0 n !re1 b an  
assi/ant 04 ,k5n$y %[$ him ! c>d t      
,franconi _h giv5 u4  ,%[ me h[ ! ma*9e 
works1 he ask$1 :ile ,mrs4 ,brackett &  
,i wait$ aside1 sc>cely able to curb our
 impati5ce4  ,well1 began ! assi/ant1   
?is is a scre5 ( v m9ute & s5sitive     
sel5ium cells4 ,i don't "k h[ to        
describe ! process bett] ?an to say t ! 
tones ( s\nd1 ! human voice1 h hundr$s (
 gradations :i* are transmitt$1 z y "k1 
by wireless1 n[4 ,gradations ( light1   
:i* are all t are necess>y to produce ! 

illusion ( a picture1 are f> simpl] ?an 
^? ( s\nd4 ,"h1 9 ?is projector--  ,t is
 ! transmitt+ "p ( ! app>atus8 int]rupt$
 ,k5n$y brusquely4 ,t hold]8  ,yes4 ,y  
see !re are hundr$s ( alt]nat+          
conductors & insulators1 all syn*roniz$ 
) hundr$s ( simil> receiv]s at !--  ,let
 me see y try ?is photograph1 int]rupt$ 
,k5n$y aga91 h&+ ov] ! picture ( ,gloria
 :i* ,mrs4 ,brackett _h giv5 him4       
,signor ,franconi told me he _h !       
telephote on sev]al outgo+ l9]s4 ,let me
 see if y c transmit x4 ,is !re any way 
( s5d+ a wireless message f ?is place8  
,! assi/ant _h %ov$ ! photograph into ! 
hold] f :i* ea* section 0 project$ on ! 
sel5ium cell scre54  ,i h a fairly      
p[]ful plant "h1 he repli$4  ,quickly   
,k5n$y wrote out a message1 briefly     
describ+ ! reason :y ! picture 0        
transmitt$ & ask+ t any /ation on       
%ipbo>d t receiv$ x w\ld h a c>eful se>*
 made ( ! pass5g]s = any "y woman1 no   
matt] :at "n 0 assum$1 :o might resemble
 ! photograph4  ,?\gh no?+ c\ld be      

expect$ imm$iately at be/1 x 0 at lea/  
"s satisfaction to "k t ?r\gh !         
invisible air waves1 wirelessly1 ! only 
means n[ ( id5tify+ ,gloria 0 be+ fla%$ 
f> & wide to all ! big %ips )9 a day's  
di/ance or less on :i* ,franconi _h     
e/abli%$ 8 sy/em z a te/4  ,! telephote 
_h f9i%$ its "w4 ,n[ !re 0 no?+ to d b  
wait4 ,x 0 a sl5d] ?read on :i* hung !  
hope ( success4  ,:ile we wait$1 ,mrs4  
,brackett 0 eat+ h] he>t out ) anxiety4 
,k5n$y took ! occasion to call up ! ,new
 ,york police on long di/ance4 ,!y _h no
 clew to ,gloria4 ,nor _h !y be5 able to
 f9d a trace ( ,du ,mond4 ,mrs4 ,du     
,mond also _h disappe>$4 ,at ! ,cab>et  
,r\ge1 ,b]nice ,b5tley _h be5 held & put
 ?r\gh a ?ird degree1 )\t disclos+ a ?+1
 if inde$ %e knew any?+4 ,i wond]$ :e!r1
 at su* a crisis1 ,du ,mond1 too1 might 
n h tak5 ! opportunity to flee ! c\ntry4
  ,we _h almo/ giv5 up hope1 :5 sudd5ly 
a little buzz] on ! telephote w>n$ !    
op]ator t some?+ 0 com+ ov] x4  ,!      
,monfalcone1 he rem>k$1 int]pret+ !     

s\rce ( ! impulses4  ,we ga!r$          
brea?lessly ab\t ! complicat$ in/rum5t  
z1 on a receiv+ scre5 compos$ (         
innum]able p5cils ( light pol>iz$ & act+
 on a set ( mirrors1 ea* correspond+ to 
! cells ( ! sel5ium scre5 & tun$ to !m1 
z x 71 a ?9 film or veil seem$ gradually
 to cle> up1 z ! telephote sl[ly got    
itself into equilibrium at bo? ends ( ! 
air l9e4 ,gradually ! face ( a girl     
appe>$4  ,gloria6 gasp$ ,mrs4 ,brackett 
9 a tone t s\nd$ z if t5 ye>s _h be5    
add$ to h] life4  ,wait1 caution$ !     
op]ator4 ,!re is a writt5 message to    
foll[4  ,on ! same scre5 n[ came 9      
lett]s t ,mrs4 ,brackett 9 h] joy       
recogniz$ ! message3 ,i c\ldn't help x4 
,i 0 blackmail$ into tak+ ! necklace4   
,ev5 at ! hunt ,i receiv$ ano!r dem&4 ,i
 did n mean to g1 b ,i 0 c>ri$ (f by =ce
 be=e ,i c\ld pay ! second dem&4 ,n[    
,i'm glad ( x4 ,=give u4 ,gloria4  ,u8  
repeat$ ,mrs4 ,brackett1 n compreh5d+4  
,look--ano!r picture1 po9t$ ,k5n$y4  ,we
 b5t ov] z ! face ( a man seem$ to      

dissolve m cle>ly 9 place ( ! writ+4    
,?ank ,god6 exclaim$ ,mrs4 ,brackett    
f]v5tly1 read+ ! face by a sort (       
intuition be=e x cle>$ en\gh = u to     
recognize4 ,he has sav$ h] f h]self6  ,x
 0 ,franconi6  ,sl[ly x fad$ & 9 its    
place appe>$ ano!r writt5 message4      
,recall$ to ,italy = w> s]vice4 ,i took 
h] ) me by =ce4 ,x 0 ! only way4 ,civil 
c]emony 9 ,new ,york ye/]day4 ,religi\s 
w foll[ at ,rome4     ,,*apt] ,,iv  ,,! 
,,tango ,,?ief   ,my husb& has su* a    
jeal\s disposition4 ,he w nev] believe !
 tru?--nev]6  ,aga?a ,seabury mov$      
n]v\sly 9 ! deep easy *air beside       
,k5n$y's desk1 lean+ =w>d1 uncom=tably1 
! t5se l9es m>r+ ! beauty ( h] f9e      
features4  ,k5n$y tilt$ 8 desk *air back
 9 ord] to /udy h] face4  ,y say y h    
nev] writt5 a l9e to ! fell[ nor he to  
y8 he ask$4  ,n a l9e1 n a scrap1--until
 ,i receiv$ t typewritt5 lett] ab\t :i* 
,i j told y1 %e repeat$ vehem5tly1 meet+
 8 p5etrat+ gaze )\t fl9*+4 ,:y1        
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 z heav5 is my witness1

 ,i h nev] done a wrong ?+--except to   
meet him n[ & !n at aft]noon dances4  ,i
 felt t ! n]ve-rack$ society woman be=e 
u mu/ be ei!r tell+ ! tru? or else t %e 
0 "o ( ! clev]e/ actresses ,i _h ev]    
se54  ,h y ! lett] "h8 ask$ ,craig      
quickly4  ,mrs4 ,seabury rea*$ into h]  
neat lea!r p>ty case & pull$ out a      
c>efully fold$ %eet ( note pap]4  ,x 0  
all typewritt51 d[n to ! v signature    
itself4 ,evid5tly ! blackmail] _h tak5 e
 precaution to protect himself1 = ev5 if
 ! typewrit+ c\ld be /udi$ & id5tifi$1 x
 w\ld be next to impossible to get at ! 
writ] ?r\gh x & locate ! ma*9e on :i* x 
0 writt5 among ! ?\s&s 9 ! city4  ,k5n$y
 /udi$ ! lett] c>efully1 !n1 ) a l[     
exclamation1 h&$ x ov] to me1 nodd+ to  
,mrs4 ,seabury t x 0 all "r = me to see 
x4  ,no ord9>y fell[1 ,i'm afraid1 he   
comm5t$ mus+ly1 add+1 ?is ?ief (        
reputations4  ,i read1 beg9n+ ) !       
insol5t famili>ity ( ,de> ,aga?a4       
,i hope y w p>don me = writ+ to y1 !    
lett]      cont9u$1 b ,i f9d t ,i am 9 a

 r difficult position      f9ancially4  
,z y "k1 9 ! pres5t disorganiz$ /ate (  
! /ock m>ket1 inve/m5ts :i* 9 normal    
times are good      are n[ almo/        
valueless4 ,/ill1 ,i mu/ protect ^? ,i  
already      h )\t sacrific+ !m4        
,x is !re=e necess>y t ,i raise fifty   
?\s& doll>s      be=e ! end ( ! week1 & 
,i "k ( no "o to appeal to      b y--:o 
h %>$ s _m pleasant /ol5 h\rs ) me4     
,( c\rse1 ,i und]/& all t y h told me   
ab\t ,mr4      ,seabury & 8 viol5t      
nature4 ,/ill1 ,i feel sure t "o (      
y\r weal? & /&+ 9 ! community c f9d a   
way to      avoid all tr\ble f t qu>t]4 
,naturally1 ,i %\ld pref]      to take e
 precaution to prev5t ! fact ( our      
intimacy      f com+ to ,mr4 ,seabury's 
k4 ,b ,i am really      desp]ate & feel 
t y alone c help me4       ,hop+ to he> 
f y soon1 ,i am1      ,y\r old tango    
fri5d1      ,h4 ,,morgan ,,%]burne4  ,i 
fairly gasp$ at ! ?9ly veil$ ?reat (    
exposure at ! end ( ! note f ?is arti/ic
 blackmail]4  ,%e 0 wat*+ our faces     

anxi\sly z we read4  ,oh1 %e cri$       
wildly1 glanc+ f "o to ! o!r ( u1       
/rang]s to :om 9 h] despair %e _h be5   
=c$ to b>e ! secrets ( h] pr\d he>t1    
he's s clev] ab\t x1 too4 ,i--,i didn't 
"k :at to d4 ,i _h only my jewels4 ,i   
?\ght ( all ! s*emes ,i _h ev] read1 (  
pawn+ !m1 ( hav+ pa/e replicas made1 (  
try+ to collect ! burgl>y insurance1 (--
  ,b y didn't d any?+ l t1 did y8       
int]rupt$ ,craig ha/ily4  ,no1 no1 %e   
cri$4 ,i ?\ght if ,i did1 !n x w\ldn't  
be long be=e ?is ,%]burne w\ld be back  
aga9 = m4 ,oh1 %e almo/ wail$1 dabb+ at 
! g5u9e te>s ) h] da9ty lace h&k]*ief   
:ile h] %\ld]s trembl$ ) a repress$     
convulsive sob1 ,i--,i am utt]ly        
wret*$--cru%$4  ,! sc\ndrel6 ,i mutt]$4 
,k5n$y %ook 8 head at me sl[ly4 ,call+  
names won't help matt]s n[1 he rem>k$   
t]sely4 ,!n 9 an enc\rag+ tone he add$1 
,y h done j ! "r ?+1 ,mrs4 ,seabury1 9 n
 />t+ to pay ! blackmail4 ,! secret ( ! 
success ( ^! fell[s is t _! victims     
pref] los+ jewelry & money to go+ to !  

police & hav+ a lot ( unpleasant        
notoriety4  ,yes1 ,i "k t1 %e agre$     
ha/ily1 b--my husb&6 ,if he he>s1 he w  
believe ! wor/1 &--,i--,i really love & 
respect ,judson--?\gh1 %e add$1 he might
 h se5 t ,i lik$ danc+ &--innoc5t       
amusem5ts ( ! sort /ill4 ,i am n an old 
woman4  ,i c\ld n help wond]+ if ! :ole 
tru? 7 told 9 h] r pla9tive rem>k1 or   
:e!r %e 0 ov]play+ :at 0 really a m9or  
compla9t4 ,judson ,seabury1 ,i knew f   
he>say1 0 a man ( middle age to :om1 z  
to s _m1 bus9ess & ! mak+ ( money _h    
loom$ z l>ge z life itself4 ,competitors
 _h ev5 accus$ him ( be+ ru?less :5 he 0
 conv9c$ t he 0 "r1 & ,i c\ld well      
imag9e t ,mrs4 ,seabury 0 "r 9 h]       
judgm5t ( ! nature ( ! man if he became 
conv9c$ = any reason t someone _h cross$
 8 pa? 9 8 relations ) 8 wife4  ,:]e did
 y usually--er--meet ,%]burne8 ask$     
,craig1 casually guid+ ! conv]sation4   
,:y--at ! ,v&]ve]--always1 %e repli$4   
,w\ld y m9d meet+ him !re aga9 ?is      
aft]noon s t ,i c\ld see him8 ask$      

,k5n$y4 ,p]haps x w\ld be be/1 anyh[1 to
 let him ?9k t y are go+ to d z he      
dem&s1 s t we c ga9 a little "t4  ,%e   
look$ up1 />tl$4 ,yes--,i c d t--b don't
 y ?9k x is risky8 ,d y ?9k !re is any  
way ,i c get free f him8 ,suppose he    
makes a new dem&4 ,:at %all ,i d8 ,oh1  
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 y d n1 y _c "k :at ,i 
am go+ ?r\gh--h[ ,i hate & fe> him4     
,mrs4 ,seabury1 reassur$ ,craig e>ne/ly1
 ,i'll take up y\r case4 ,clev] z ! man 
is1 !re mu/ be "s way to get at him4    
,%]burne mu/ h ex]cis$ a sort (         
fasc9ation ov] h]1 = ! look ( relief t  
cross$ h] face z ,k5n$y promis$ to aid  
h] 0 almo/ pa9ful4 ,z (t5 be=e1 ,i c\ld 
sc>cely envy ,k5n$y 9 8 ready assumption
 ( ano!r's problems t seem$ s baffl+4 ,x
 meant little1 p]haps1 to u :e!r we     
succe$$4 ,b to h] x meant happ9ess1     
p]haps honor itself4  ,x 0 z ?\gh %e 7  
cat*+ at a life l9e 9 ! swirl+ curr5t ( 
ev5ts t _h engulf$ h]4 ,%e hesitat$ no  
long]4  ,i'll be !re--,i'll meet him--at
 f\r1 %e murmur$1 z %e rose & made a    

hurri$ dep>ture4  ,= "s "t aft] %e _h   
gone1 ,k5n$y sat consid]+ :at %e _h told
 u4 ,z = myself1 ,i _c say t ,i 0       
?or\ghly satisfi$ t %e _h told all4 ,x 0
 n to be expect$4  ,h[ d y figure t     
woman out8 ,i qu]i$ at l5g?4  ,k5n$y    
look$ at me ke5ly f "u knitt$ br[s4 ,y  
mean1 d ,i believe h] /ory--( h]        
relations ) ?is fell[1 ,%]b\rne8 he     
return$1 ?\ghtfully4  ,exactly1 ,i      
ass5t$1 & :at %e said ab\t h] reg>d = h]
 husb&1 too4  ,k5n$y did n reply = a few
 m9utes4 ,evid5tly ! same "q _h be5 9 8 
own m9d & he _h n reason$ out ! answ]4  
,be=e he c\ld reply ! door buzz] s\nd$ &
 ! color$ boy f ! l[] hall h&$ a c>d to 
,craig1 ) an apology ab\t ! h\se        
telephone swit*bo>d be+ out ( ord]4  ,z 
,k5n$y laid ! c>d on ! table be=e u1 ) a
 curt ,%[ ! g5tleman 91 to ! boy1 ,i    
look$ at x 9 blank amazem5t4  ,x read1  
,judson ,seabury4  ,be=e ,i c\ld utt] a 
^w ( comm5t on ! /range co9cid5ce1 !    
husb& 0 sitt+ 9 ! same *air 9 :i* 8 wife
 _h sat less ?an half an h\r be=e4      

,judson ,seabury 0 a r di/+ui%$ look+   
man ( ! solid1 bus9ess type4 ,m]ely to  
meet 8 /eel gray eye 0 en\gh to tell "o 
t ?is man w\ld brook no rivalry 9 any?+ 
he und]took4 ,i =esaw tr\ble1 ev5 ?\gh  
,i c\ld n def9e its nature4  ,craig     
twirl$ ! c>d 9 8 f+]s1 z if to refre% 8 
m9d on a "n o!rwise unfamili>4 ,i 0     
wond]+ :e!r ,seabury might n h trail$ 8 
wife to our (fice & h come to dem& an   
explanation4 ,x 0 ) "s relief t ,i f\nd 
he _h n4  ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 he began    
n]v\sly1 hit*+ 8 *air clos]1 )\t fur!r  
introduction1 9 ! mann] ( a man :o 0    
accu/om$ to hav+ 8 own way 9 any matt]  
he und]took1 ,i am 9 a mo/ peculi>      
situation4  ,seabury paus$ a mom5t1     
,k5n$y nodd$ acquiesc5ce1 & ! man       
sudd5ly blurt$ out1 ,i--,i don't "k :e!r
 ,i'm be+ sl[ly poison$ or n6  ,!       
revelation 0 />tl+ en\gh 9 itself1 b    
d\bly s aft] ! int]view t _h j prec$$4  
,i cov]$ my own surprise by a quick     
glance at ,craig4 ,8 face 0 impassive z 
he n>r[ly se>*$ ,seabury's4 ,i knew1    

?\gh1 t back ( 8 assum$ calm1 ,craig 0  
do+ "s rapid ?9k+ ab\t ! e?ics ( li/5+  
to bo? p>ties 9 ! case4 ,h[ev]1 he said 
no?+4 ,inde$1 ,seabury1 once />t$1      
hurri$ on1 sc>cely giv+ him a *ance to  
int]rupt4  ,i may z well tell y1 he     
proce$$1 ) ! air ( a man :o = ! fir/ "t 
is reliev+ 8 m9d ( some?+ t has be5     
weigh+ heavily on him1 t = "s "t ,i h n 
be5 exactly--er--easy 9 my m9d ab\t !   
actions ( my wife4  ,evid5tly he _h     
arriv$ at ! conclusion to tell :at      
worri$ him1 & mu/ say x1 = he cont9u$   
imm$iately3 ,x's n t ,i actually "k     
any?+ ab\t any indiscretions on ,aga?a's
 "p1 b1--well1 !re h be5 little         
?+s--h9ts t %e 0 go+ frequ5tly to !s    
dansants1 & t sort ( ?+1 y "k4 ,lately1 
too1 ,i h se5 a *ange 9 h] mann] t[>d   
me1 ,i fancy4 ,sometimes ,i ?9k %e seems
 to avoid me1 especially dur+ ! la/ few 
days4 ,!n aga91 z ?is morn+1 %e seems to
 be--er--too solicit\s4  ,he pass$ 8 h& 
ov] 8 =ehead1 z if to cle> x4 ,= once he
 did n seem to be ! self-confid5t man :o

 _h at fir/ ent]$ our ap>tm5t4 ,i notic$
 t he _h a peculi> look1 a feeble /ate (
 ! body :i* he 0 at times at pa9s to    
conceal1 a look :i* ! doctors call1 ,i  
believe1 ca*ectic4  ,i mean1 he add$    
ha/ily1 z if x might z well be said fir/
 z la/1 t %e seems to be mu* conc]n$    
ab\t my heal?1 my food--  ,j :at is x t 
y actually "k1 n :at y fe>8 int]rupt$   
,k5n$y1 p]haps a little brusquely1 at   
la/ hav+ se5 a *ance to ins]t a ^w      
edgewise into ! fl[ ( ,seabury's        
tr\bles1 real or imag9>y4  ,seabury     
paus$ a mom5t1 !n resum$ ) a description
 ( 8 heal?1 :i*1 to tell ! tru?1 0 by no
 means reassur+4  ,well1 he answ]$      
sl[ly1 ,i suff] a good deal f su*       
t]rible dyspepsia1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y4 ,my
 /oma* & dige/ion are all upset--bad    
heal? & gr[+ weakness--pa91             
discom=t--vomit+ aft] meals1 ev5 ble$+4 
,i've tri$ all sorts ( cures1 b /ill ,i 
c feel t ,i am /ill los+ heal? & /r5g?1 
&1 s f>1 at lea/1 ! doctors don't seem  
to be do+ me mu* good4 ,i h begun to    

wond] :e!r x is a case = ! doctors1 aft]
 all4 ,:y1 ! :ole ?+ is gett+ on my     
n]ves s t ,i'm almo/ afraid to eat1 he  
conclud$4  ,y h eat5 no?+ today1 !n1 ,i 
am to und]/&8 ask$ ,craig :5 ,seabury _h
 f9i%$ ) 8 m9ute & puzzl+ acc\nt ( 8    
tr\bles4  ,n ev5 breakfa/ ?is morn+1 he 
repli$4 ,mrs4 ,seabury urg$ me to eat1  
b--,i--,i c\ldn't4  ,good6 exclaim$     
,k5n$y1 mu* to our surprise4 ,t w make x
 j s mu* easi] to use a te/ ,i h 9 m9d  
to det]m9e :e!r !re is any?+ 9 y\r      
suspicions4  ,he _h ris5 & gone ov] to a
 cab9et4  ,w\ld y m9d b>+ y\r arm a     
mom5t8 he ask$ ,seabury4  ,) a %>p      
little in/rum5t1 c>efully /]iliz$1      
,craig prick$ a ve9 9 ! man's arm4      
,sl[ly a few drops ( d>k5$ v5\s blood   
well$ out4 ,a mom5t lat] ,k5n$y caught  
!m 9 a /]ile te/ tube & seal$ ! tube4   
,be=e our second visitor c\ld />t aga9 9
 retail+ 8 suspicions :i* n[ seem$      
def9itely1 9 8 own m9d at lea/1 direct$ 
9 "s way aga9/ ,mrs4 ,seabury1 ,k5n$y   
skillfully clos$ ! int]view4  ,i feel   

sure t ! te/ ,i %all make w tell me     
positively1 soon1 :e!r y\r fe>s are well
 gr\nd$ or n1 ,mr4 ,seabury1 he conclud$
 briefly1 z he accompani$ ! man out into
 ! hall to %ake h&s f>ewell ) him at !  
elevator door4 ,i'll let y "k z soon z  
any?+ develops1 b until we h some?+     
tangible !re is no use wa/+ our en]gies4
     ,,*apt] ,v  ,,! ,,! ,,dansant   ,i 
felt1 h[ev]1 t ,seabury accept$ ?is     
conclusion reluctantly1 9 fact ) a sort 
( m5tal res]vation n to cease activity  
himself4  ,! rema9d] ( ! =5oon1 & = "s  
"t dur+ ! e>ly aft]noon1 ,craig plung$  
into "o ( 8 p]iods ( int5se "w &        
ab/raction at ! laboratory4  ,x 01      
inde$1 a mo/ unusual & delicate te/ :i* 
he 0 mak+4 ,= "o ?+1 ,i notic$ t he _h1 
9 a /]iliz]1 "s peculi> granul> tissue t
 _h be5 s5t to him f a hospital4 ,?is   
tissue he 0 v c>eful to cleanse ( blood 
& !n by repeat$ boil+s prep>e = :atev]  
use he _h 9 m9d4  ,z = myself1 ,i c\ld  
only /& aside & wat* 8 prep>ations 9    
sil5ce4 ,among ! _m peculi> pieces (    

app>atus :i* he _h1 ,i recall "o t      
consi/$ ( a glass cyl9d] ) a siphon tube
 runn+ into x halfway up ! outside4     
,inside 0 ano!r1 small] cyl9d]4 ,all    
ab\t him z he proce$$ 7 glass conta9]s1 
capill>y pipettes1 te/ tubes1 ,buns5    
burn]s1 & dialyz]s ( por\s p>*m5t pap]  
^: wrapp]s describ$ !m z p]meable =     
peptones1 b n = album9s4  ,c>efully set 
aside 0 ! blood :i* he _h drawn f       
,seabury's ve9s1 all[$ to /& till ! s]um
 sep>at$ out f ! clot4 ,next he pipett$ 
x into a c5trifuge tube & c5trifug$ x at
 high spe$1 "s sixte5 ?\s& revolutions1 
until ! s]um 0 p]fectly cle>1 ) no trace
 ( a r$di% t9t1 nor ev5 cl\dy4 ,aft] t  
he drew (f ! s]um into a little tube1   
cov]$ x ) a lay] ( a sub/ance call$     
toluol f ano!r /]ile pipette1 & f9ally  
plac$ x 9 an incubator at a temp]ature (
 ab\t n9ety-eight4  ,x 0 well along t[>d
 f\r o'clock :5 he paus$ z if "s m5tal  
al>m clock _h awak5$ him to ano!r "p ( !
 plan ( action he _h laid out4  ,walt]1 
he rem>k$1 ha/ily d(f+ 8 /a9$ old       

laboratory coat1 ,i ?9k we'd bett] drop 
ar\nd to ! ,v&]ve]4  ,curi\s z ,i _h be5
 at ! prep>ations he 0 mak+ 9 !         
laboratory1 ,i 0 /ill glad at ev5 !     
sugge/ion ( some?+ t my less le>n$ m9d  
c\ld und]/& & x 0 n _m seconds be=e we 7
 on our way4  ,?r\gh ! lobby ( ! fam\s  
new ho/elry we sl[ly l\ng$ along1 !n d[n
 a passage into ! tea room1 :]e1 9 !    
c5t] ( a circle ( qua9t little wick]    
*airs & tables1 0 a glossy danc+ floor4 
,k5n$y select$ a table n 9 ! circle1 b  
ar\nd an ,l1 inconspicu\sly locat$ s t  
we c\ld wat* ! danc+ )\t ourselves be+  
wat*$4  ,at "o end ( ! room an excell5t 
or*e/ra 0 play+4 ,i gaz$ ab\t1 fasc9at$4
 ,at ! danc+ tea 0 repres5t$1 app>5tly1 
mu* weal?--wom5 ^: ?roats & f+]s glitt]$
 ) gold & gems1 m5 ^: v air exud$       
prosp]ity--or at lea/ its v5e]4  ,ab\t x
 all 0 ! glamor ( ! risque4 ,"o felt a  
sort ( compromis+ famili>ity 9 ?is      
break+ d[n ( old social re/ra9ts ?r\gh !
 insidi\s influ5ce ( ! tea room1 ) its  
accompanim5ts ( music & danc+4  ,i      

suppose1 rem>k$ ,craig aft] we _h = "s  
"t settl$ ourselves & wat*$ ! brilliant 
sc5e1 t1 l _m o!rs1 ,walt]1 y h (t5     
wond]$ :e!r ^! mod]n dances are actually
 z /imulat+ z !y seem4  ,i %rugg$ my    
%\ld]s non-committally4  ,well1 !re is  
:at psy*ologi/s might call a real dance 
neurosis1 he w5t on1 contemplatively1   
toy+ ) a glass4 ,9 fact few p]sons c )/&
 ! physical effect ( ! peculi> rhy?m1 ! 
close contact1 & ! s9u\s movem5ts--at   
lea/ :]e1 s to speak1 ! surr\nd+s are   
sugge/ive & ! dance becomes less re/ra9$
 & m s5su\s1 z x does (t5 9 circum/ances
 l ^!1 (t5 among /rang]s4  ,! music _h  
/>t$ aga9 & "o aft] ano!r c\ples seem$  
to float pa/ 9 unhesitat+               
hesitation--d[ag] & debutante1 d&y &    
dodd]+ octog5>ian4  ,:y1 he exclaim$1   
look+ out at ! :irl+ kaleidoscope1 "h 9 
! mo/ advanc$ epo*1 p ( culture &       
intellig5ce frankly say !y are 'wild' = 
some?+ primitive4  ,/ill1 ,i object$1   
danc+ ev5 9 ! wild1 /imulat+ emotional  
mann] y see "h ne$ n be m]ely an        

incitem5t to love1 ne$ x8 ,may x n be a 
normal gratification ( ! love           
in/9ct--eroticism translat$ into rhy?m8 
,p]haps x may repres5t sex1 b n         
necess>ily badly4  ,k5n$y nodd$4        
,und\bt$ly ! effect ( ! dances is 9     
direct ratio to ! sexual temp]am5t ( !  
danc]1 he admitt$4  ,he paus$ & aga9    
wat*$ ! :irl4  ,does ,mrs4 ,seabury     
h]self und]/& x8 he mus$1 only half     
speak+ to me4 ,i'm sure t ?is ,%]burne  
is clev] en\gh to d s1 at any rate4  ,a 
he>ty r\nd ( applause came f ! danc]s z 
! music ceas$4 ,none left ! floor1      
h[ev]1 b rema9$ wait+ = ! encore eag]ly1
 sc>cely *ang+ ! positions 9 :i* !y _h  
/opp$4  ,to my m9d1 ,k5n$y resum$1 ) !  
music1 sev]al ?+s seem significant4 ,_m 
p h notic$ t aft] m>riage wom5 g5]ally  
lose mu* ( _! ardor = danc+4 ,i feel t x
 is an unsafe matt] on :i* to g5]alize1 
b--well--,mrs4 ,seabury seems n to h lo/
 x4  ,!n1 ,i inquir$ quickly1 y imply   
t--%e is n really z mu* 9 love ) h]     
husb& z %e w\ld h u ?9k--or1 p]haps1    

h]self believes8  ,n q t1 he repli$     
d\btfully4 ,b ,i am wond]+ :e!r !re is  
su* a factor t mu/ be consid]$4  ,be=e  
,i c\ld answ] ,k5n$y t\*$ my arm4       
,in/9ctively ,i foll[$ ! direction ( 8  
eye & saw ,mrs4 ,seabury /ep out on !   
floor across f u4 ,)\t a ^w f ,craig1 ,i
 realiz$ t ! man ) h] mu/ be ,%]burne1  
our tango ?ief4  ,fa%ionably dress$1    
affable1 seem+ly sup]ficially1 at lea/1 
well educat$1 tall1 graceful1 ) easy    
mann]s1 ,i c\ld n help see+ at a glance 
t he 0 "o ( ! mo/ erotic danc]s on !    
little floor4  ,z !y pass$ ne> u1 ,mrs4 
,seabury caught ,k5n$y's eye 9 mom5t>y  
recognition4 ,h] face1 flu%$ ) ! dance1 
color$ p]haps a %ade deep]1 b n         
noticeably to h] p>tn]1 :o 0 devot+     
himself :olly & skillfully to lead+ h] 9
 a mann] t "o c\ld see call$ =? frequ5t 
comm5t f o!rs1 less favor$4  ,z !y sat  
d[n aft] ?is dance & ! encore1 ,craig   
motion$ to ! wait] at our table & :isp]$
 to him4  ,a few mom5ts lat]1 a man :om 
,i _h se5 ar\nd ! hotel on my infrequ5t 

visits1 b did n "k1 slipp$ quietly into 
a seat beside ,k5n$y1 ev5 deep] 9 ! %ad[
 ( ! recess 9 :i* we 7 sitt+4  ,walt]1  
,i'd l to h y meet ,mr4 ,dunn1 ! h\se   
detective1 :isp]$ ,k5n$y "u 8 brea?4  ,!
 usual int]*ange ( rem>ks foll[$1 dur+  
:i* ,dunn 0 evid5tly wait+ = ,k5n$y to  
reveal ! real purpose ( our visit4  ,by 
! way1 ,dunn1 rem>k$ ,craig at l5g?1 :o 
is t fell[--ov] !re ) ! woman 9 blue--! 
fell[ ) ! heavy braid$ coat8  ,dunn     
cran$ 8 neck cauti\sly1 !n %rugg$ 8     
%\ld]s4 ,i've se5 him "h ) h] be=e1 he  
rem>k$4 ,i don't "k him1 ?\gh4 ,:y8     
,briefly ,k5n$y sket*$ su* facts ( a    
suppos$ly hypo!tical case z w\ld be     
likely to secure an op9ion f ! h\se man4
 ,dunn n>r[$ 8 eyes ?\ghtfully4  ,t's r 
a tickli% situation1 ,k5n$y1 ,dunn      
rem>k$ :5 ,craig _h /at$ ! case1 omitt+ 
all ref]5ce to ,seabury's "n z well z 8 
suspicions4 ,( c\rse1 he w5t on1 ,i "k  
we've got to protect ! "n ( ! hotel4 ,& 
,i "k we c't h m5 meet+ our wom5        
patrons1 do+ a gavotte or two--& !n     

fox-trott+ !m into blackmail4  ,dunn    
/rok$ 8 *9 ?\ghtfully4 ,y see1 we c d a 
great deal to suppress c>d %>ps1 ag5ts =
 fake m9+ /ocks1 pass]s ( wor?less      
*ecks1 & confid5ce m5 ( t sort4 ,b x is 
n s simple to ?w>t ! vultures :o prey on
 ! gullibility & passions ( ! s-call$   
idle ri*4  ,!re mu/ be some?+ y c d to  
get x on ?is fell[1 ?\gh1 p]si/$ ,craig4
  ,well1 consid]$ ! h\se man1 we h :at  
might be call$ our hotel secret         
s]vice--sev]al m5 & wom5 op]at+ entirely
 ap>t f ! hotel =ce ( detectives :o1 l  
myself1 are too well kn[n to clev]      
crooks4 ,nobody kn[s !m1 except myself4 
,!re's "o--t girl ov] !re danc+ ) t     
middle-ag$ man :o has mail s5t "h b     
doesn't live "h4 ,c\ld !y be ( use8  ,j 
! ?+1 exclaim$ ,craig en?usia/ically4   
,c't y h h] get acqua9t$--j z a         
precaution--) t man8 ,8 "n1 by ! way1 ,i
 und]/& is ,%]burne4  ,i'll d x1 agre$  
,dunn1 ris+ uno/5tati\sly4  ,j !n ,i    
happ5$ to glance across ! floor & ov] ! 
heads ( ^? seat$ at ! tables at a door  

opposite u4 ,x 0 my turn ha/ily to seize
 ,k5n$y's elb[4  ,good ,god6 ,i exclaim$
 involunt>ily4  ,!re1 9 ! fur!r doorway 
( ! tea room1 /ood ,judson ,seabury     
himself6  ,)\t a ^w1 ,craig rose &      
quickly cross$ ! danc+ floor1 /opp+ be=e
 ,mrs4 ,seabury's table4 ,in/ead ( wait+
 to be introduc$1 he sat d[n            
delib]ately1 z ?\gh he _h be5 !re all ! 
"t & _h j gone out ( ! room & come back4
 ,he did x all s quickly t he 0 able 9 a
 p]fectly natural way to turn & see t   
,seabury himself _h be5 wat*+ & n[ 0    
advanc+ sl[ly1 pick+ 8 way among ! cr[d$
 tables4  ,f ar\nd my corn] ,i saw      
,craig :isp] a ^w or two to ,mrs4       
,seabury1 !n rise & meet ,seabury less  
?an halfway f ! door by :i* he _h be5   
/&+4  ,! t5sion ( ! situation 0 too mu* 
= ,mrs4 ,seabury4 ,conf\nd$ & bewild]$1 
%e fl$ precipitately1 pass+ )9 a few    
feet ( my table4 ,h] face 0 positively  
gha/ly4  ,z = ,%]burne1 he m]ely sat a  
mom5t & survey$ ! irate husb& ) calm &  
/udi$ insol5ce at a safe di/ance4 ,!n   

he1 too1 rose & turn$ delib]ately on 8  
heel4  ,curi\s to "k h[ ,craig w\ld meet
 ! dilemma1 ,i wat*$ eag]ly & 0 surpris$
 to see ,seabury1 aft] a mom5t's :isp]$ 
talk1 turn & leave ! tea room by ! same 
door ?r\gh :i* he _h ent]$4  ,:at did y 
d8 ,i ask$1 z ,craig rejo9$ me a few    
mom5ts lat]4 ,:at did y say8 ,my hat's  
(f to y1 ,i add$ 9 admiration4  ,told   
him ,i _h trail$ h] "h ) "o ( my        
op]atives1 b 0 conv9c$ !re 0 no?+ wrong1
 aft] all1 he return$4  ,y mean1 ,i ask$
 z ! result ( ,craig's quick ?9k+ dawn$ 
on me1 t y told him ,%]burne 0 y\r      
op]ative8  ,k5n$y nodd$4 ,i want to see 
him1 n[1 if ,i c1 he said simply4       
,,*apt] ,,vi  ,,! ,,s]um ,,diagnosis    
,we paid our *eck & ,k5n$y & ,i saunt]$ 
9 ! direction ,%]burne _h tak51 f9d+ him
 ultimately 9 ! cafe1 alone4 ,)\t fur!r 
introduction ,k5n$y approa*$ him4  ,s--y
 are a detective8 sne]$ ,%]burne        
sup]cili\sly1 elevat+ 8 eyebr[s j !     
fraction ( an in*4  ,n exactly1 p>ri$   
,k5n$y1 seat+ himself beside ,%]burne4  

,!n 9 a tone z if he 7 will+ to get d[n1
 )\t fur!r prelim9>y1 to bus9ess1       
seem+ly negotiat+1 he ask$3 ,mr4        
,%]burne1 may ,i ask j :at x is on :i* y
 base y\r claim on ,mrs4 ,seabury8 ,is x
 m]ely meet+ h] "h8 ,if t is s y mu/ "k 
t x am\nts to no?+--n[4  ,! two m5 fac$ 
ea* o!r1 ea* tak+ ! o!r's measure4      
,no?+8 coolly retort$ ,%]burne4 ,p]haps 
n--9 itself4 ,b--suppose--,i--_h--  ,he 
said ! words sl[ly1 z he fumbl$ 9 8 fob 
pocket1 !n cut !m %ort z he f\nd :at he 
0 look+ =4 ,safely1 9 ! palm ( 8 h&1 he 
display$ a lat*-key1 mom5t>ily1 !n ) a  
taunt+ smile dropp$ x back aga9 into !  
fob pocket4  ,p]haps %e gave x to       
me--p]haps ,i 0 a welcome visitor 9 h]  
ap>tm5t1 he ins9uat$4 ,h[ w\ld %e reli% 
hav+ t told to ,mr4 ,seabury--back$ up  
by ! possession ( ! key8  ,i c\ld n help
 feel+ t = ! mom5t ,k5n$y 0 *eckmat$4   
,%]burne 0 play+ a desp]ate game &      
app>5tly held ! key1 h[ev] he got x1 z a
 trump c>d4  ,?ank y1 0 all t ,k5n$y    
said1 z he rose4 ,i want$ to "k h[ f> y 

c\ld g4 ,p]haps we c meet y halfway4    
,%]burne smil$ cynically4 ,all ! way1 he
 said quietly1 z we left ! cafe4  ,9    
sil5ce ,k5n$y left ! hotel & jump$ into 
a cab1 direct+ ! driv] to ! laboratory1 
:]e he _h ask$ ,mrs4 ,seabury to wait = 
him4 ,we f\nd h] !re1 /ill mu* agitat$4 
,ha/ily ,craig expla9$ to h] h[ he _h   
sav$ ! situation1 b h] m9d 0 too occupi$
 ov] some?+ else to pay mu* att5tion4   
,i--,i c't blame y1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 %e
 cri$1 *ok+ d[n a sob 9 h] voice1 b ,i h
 j discov]$--he has told me t x is ev5  
worse ?an ,i _h anticipat$4  ,we 7 bo?  
foll[+ h] closely1 ! incid5t ( !        
lat*-key /ill fre% 9 m9d4  ,"s "t ago1  
%e hurri$ on1 ,i miss$ my lat*-key4 ,i  
?\ght no?+ ( x at ! "t--?\ght p]haps ,i 
_h mislaid x4 ,b today he told me--j    
aft] ! dance1 ev5 :ile ,i 0 mak+ him ?9k
 ,i w\ld pay him ! money1               
because--because ,i lik$ him--he told me
 he _h x4 ,! brute6 ,he mu/ h pick$ my  
h&bag6  ,h] eyes 7 blaz+ n[ )           
indignation4 ,yet z %e look$ at u bo?1  

evid5tly ! recollection ( :at _h j      
happ5$ came flood+ ov] h] m9d1 & %e     
dropp$ h] head 9 h] h&s 9 helpless      
dismay at ! new developm5t4  ,craig     
pull$ out 8 wat* ha/ily4 ,x is ab\t six1
 ,mrs4 ,seabury1 he reassur$4 ,c y be "h
 at1 say1 eight8  ,i w be "h1 %e murmur$
 pliantly1 realiz+ h] own helplessness4 
,%e _h sc>cely clos$ ! door :5 ,craig   
seiz$ ! telephone1 & hurri$ly tri$ to   
locate ,seabury himself4  ,app>5tly no  
trace ( him yet1 he fum$1 z he hung up !
 receiv]4 ,! fir/ problem is h[ to get t
 key4  ,in/antly ,i ?\ght ( ,dunn's     
secret s]vice girl4 ,k5n$y %ook 8 head  
d\btfully4 ,i'm afraid !re is no "t = t1
 he answ]$4 ,b w y att5d to t end ( !   
affair = me1 ,walt]8 ,i h j a little m  
"w "h at ! laboratory be=e ,i am ready4 
,i don't c>e h[ y d x1 b ,i want y to   
convey to ,%]burne ! welcome news t     
,mrs4 ,seabury is prep>$ to give 91 9   
any way he may see fit1 if he w call h] 
up "h at eight o'clock4  ,k5n$y _h      
already plung$ back among 8 beak]s & te/

 tubes1 & ) ^! sl5d] in/ructions ,i     
salli$ =? 9 my que/ ( ,%]burne4 ,i _h   
little difficulty 9 locat+ him & deliv]+
 my message1 :i* he receiv$ ) a         
satisfaction t invit$ assault & batt]y &
 mayhem4 ,h[ev]1 ,i manag$ to re/ra9    
myself & rejo9 ,craig 9 ! laboratory1   
%ortly aft] sev5 o'clock4  ,i _h sc>cely
 _h "t to assure ,k5n$y ( ! success ( my
 mission1 :5 we 7 surpris$ to see ! door
 op5 & ,seabury himself appe>4  ,8 face 
0 actually hagg>d4 ,:e!r or n he _h     
believ$ ! ha/ily concoct$ /ory ( ,k5n$y 
at ! ,v&]ve]1 8 m9d _h n ceas$ to "w on 
! o!r fe>s t _h prompt$ 8 com+ to u 9 ! 
fir/ place4  ,i've be5 try+ to locate y 
all ov]1 greet$ ,craig4  ,seabury heav$ 
a sigh & pass$ 8 h&1 ) its famili>      
motion1 ov] 8 =ehead4 ,i ?\ght p]haps y 
might be able to f9d out some?+ f ?is   
/uff1 he answ]$1 unwrapp+ a package :i* 
he 0 c>ry+4 ,"s samples ( ! food ,i've  
be5 gett+4 ,if y don't f9d any?+ 9 ?is1 
,i've o!rs ,i want te/$4  ,z ,i look$ at
 ! man's drawn face1 ,i wond]$ :e!r 9   

fact !re might be some?+ 9 8 fe>s4 ,on !
 surface1 ! ?+ did inde$ seem to place  
,aga?a ,seabury 9 a bad light4 ,at !    
sight ( ! key 9 ,%]burne's possession ,i
 _h grasp$ at ! /raw t he might h       
conceiv$ "s diabolical plan to get rid (
 ,seabury = purposes ( 8 own4 ,b !n1 ,i 
reason$1 w\ld he h be5 s free 9 %[+ !   
key if he _h realiz$ t x might ca/      
suspicion on himself8 ,i 0 =c$ to ask   
myself aga9 :e!r %e might1 9 h] hy/]ical
 fe> ( exposure by ! adroit blackmail]1 
h really attempt$ to poison h] husb&4   
,x 0 a desp]ate situation4 ,b ,k5n$y 0  
app>5tly ready to meet x1 ?\gh he seem$ 
to take no great int]e/ 9 ! food samples
 ,seabury _h j br\ght4  ,in/ead he seem$
 to rely :olly on ! te/s he _h already  
begun ) ! peculi> tissue ,i _h se5 him  
boil+ & ! blood s]um d]iv$ f ,seabury   
himself4  ,)\t a ^w he took ?ree tubes f
 ! incubator1 9 :i* ,i _h se5 him place 
!m "s "t be=e1 &1 z !y /ood 9 a rack1   
indicat$ !m lightly ) 8 f+]4  ,i ?9k ,i 
c cle> "p ( ?is my/]y up imm$iately1 he 

began1 speak+ m to himself ?an to       
,seabury & myself4 ,"h ,i h a te/$      
dialyz] 9 :i* has be5 plac$ a half cubic
 c5timet] ( pure cle> s]um4 ,"h is ano!r
 dialyz] ) ! same am\nt ( s]um1 b no    
tissue1 su* z ,mr4 ,jameson has se5 me  
place 9 ?is fir/ "o4 ,"h is /ill ano!r )
 ! tissue 9 di/ill$ wat]1 b no blood    
s]um4 ,i h plac$ all ! dialyz]s 9 tubes 
( di/ill$ wat] & all are cov]$ ) a      
sub/ance kn[n z toluol & cork$ to keep  
!m f contam9ation4  ,k5n$y held up be=e 
u ! ?ree tubes & ,seabury gaz$ on !m ) a
 sort ( fasc9ation1 sc>cely believ+ t 9 
!m 9 "s way might be conta9$ ! v]dict on
 ! mom5t\s problem t tr\bl$ 8 m9d &     
might p]haps mean life or dea? to him4  
,c>efully ,k5n$y took f ea* tube a few  
cubic c5timet]s ( ! dialyzate & into ea*
 he p\r$ a little liquid f a t9y vial   
:i* ,i notic$ 0 labell$ ,n9hydr94  ,?is1
 he expla9$ z he set d[n ! vial1 is a   
sub/ance :i* gives a colorless solution 
) wat]1 b :5 mix$ ) album9s1 peptones1  
or am9o-acids becomes violet on boil+4  

,tube numb] ?ree mu/ rema9 colorless4   
,numb] two may be violet4 ,numb] "o may 
approximate numb] two or be m deeply    
color$4 ,if "o & two are ab\t ! same ,i 
call my te/ negative4 ,b if "o is m     
deeply color$ ?an two1 !n x is positive4
 ,! o!r tube is ! control4  ,impati5tly 
we wait$ z ! ?ree tubes simm]$ ov] !    
heat4 ,:at w\ld !y %[8 ,seabury's eyes 7
 glu$ on !m1 8 h& trembl+ 9 ! pres5ce ( 
"s unkn[n dang]4  ,sl[ly ! liquid 9 !   
second tube turn$ to violet4 ,b m       
rapidly & m deeply appe>$ ! violet 9    
numb] "o4 ,! te/ 0 positive4  ,:at is x8
 gasp$ ,seabury ho>sely1 lean+ ov]      
close4  ,?is1 exclaim$ ,k5n$y1 is !     
fam\s ,abd]hald5                        
te/--s]um-diagnosis--discov]$ by        
,pr(essor ,emile ,abd]hald5 ( ,halle4 ,x
 re/s on ! fact t :5 a =eign sub/ance   
comes into ! blood1 ! blood reacts1 ) ! 
=mation ( a protective f]m5t produc$ z a
 result ( physiologic & pa?ologic       
conditions4  ,= in/ance1 he w5t on1 a   
c]ta9 album9 always produces a c]ta9    

f]m5t4 ,pres5ce 9 ! blood /ream (       
blood-=eign sub/ances calls =? a f]m5t t
 w dige/ !m & split !m into molecules4  
,! =ces ( nature =m & mobilize directly 
9 ! blood s]um4  ,let me get ?is cle>ly4
 ,album9 _c pass ?r\gh ! pores ( an     
animal membrane1 s9ce ! individual      
molecules are too l>ge4 ,if1 h[ev]1 !   
album9 is brok5 up by a f]m5t-action1 !n
 ! molecules become small en\gh to pass 
?r\gh4  ,seabury 0 li/5+ l a man on :om 
a /unn+ bl[ 0 ab\t to desc5d4  ,?us we c
 tell1 proce$$ ,k5n$y1 :e!r !re is su* a
 f]m5t 9 blood s]um z w\ld be produc$ by
 a c]ta9 condition1 = :5 ! f]m5t is !re 
blood f ! individual possess+ x w dige/ 
a simil> proteid 9 a dialyz+ ?imble kept
 at body temp]ature4  ,:y1 cri$ ,k5n$y1 
swept along by ! wond] ( ! ?+1 ?is te/  
op5s up a vi/a ( allur+ & ext5sive      
possibilities4 ,! human organism        
actually diagnoses its own illnesses    
automatically4 ,x is inf9itely m exact1 
m rapid1 & m c]ta9 ?an all t human art c
 atta94 ,ea* organ conta9s special      

f]m5ts 9 its cells 9 ! mo/ subtle way   
attun$ to ! molecul> condition ( !      
p>ticul> cell sub/ance & ) complete     
indiff]5ce to o!r cells4  ,don't y see8 
,x diagnoses at ! v fir/ /age4 ,y take a
 small quantity ( blood1 d]ive ! s]um1  
!n introduce a piece ( tissue su* z y   
wi% to f9d out :e!r x is diseas$ or n4  
,! ?+ is ( ov]:elm+ importance4 ,"o c   
discov] a condition ev5 be=e ! organ    
itself %[s x outw>dly4 ,x means a new   
epo* 9 m$ic9e4 ,z = me1 ,i call x ! new 
'police s]vice' ( ! organism--work+ )   
p]fect1 sci5tific accuracy4  ,:-:at d y 
f9d8 reit]at$ ,seabury4  ,i h made te/s 
= ab\t ev]y?+ ,i c suspect1 return$     
,k5n$y1 tak+ ! tubes & p\r+ ! liquid f  
numb] two into numb] "o until !y 7      
equaliz$ 9 color1 ?us te/+ !m1 :ile we  
wat*$ e action closely4  ,y see1 he     
digress$1 to get ! two ! same %ade ,i h 
to dilute ! fir/ by ! second4 ,n[1 !    
dialyz]s are n p]meable to album94      
,!re=e ! violet color indicates t !     
blood s]um 9 ?is case conta9s f]m5ts :i*

 ! body is mak+ to split up "s =eign    
sub/ance 9 ! blood1 su* z ,i suspect$ & 
obta9$ f ! hospital4 ,! te/ is positive4
 ,mr4 ,seabury1 h[ long h y felt z y say
 t y d8  ,sev]al weeks1 ! man return$   
weakly4  ,t is =tunate1 cri$ ,k5n$y1    
=tunate t x has n be5 sev]al mon?s4  ,he
 paus$1 !n add$ ! />tl+ /atem5t1 ,mr4   
,seabury1 ,i c f9d no evid5ce "h (      
poison4 ,z a matt] ( fact1 ! wond]ful   
,abd]hald5 te/ %[s me t y h "o ( ! mo/  
common =ms ( int]nal disease t occur = !
 mo/ "p 9 p]sons at or aft] middle life1
 ab\t ! age ( fifty1 m common 9 m5 ?an 9
 wom5--a disease :i* tak5 9 "t1 z x has 
be5 reveal$ by ?is wond]ful te/1 may be 
cur$ & y may be sav$--an incipi5t canc] 
( ! /oma*4  ,k5n$y paus$ a mom5t &      
li/5$4 ,i fanci$ ,i he>d someone 9 !    
hall4 ,b he w5t on1 ,! p]son :om y      
suspect ( poison+ y--  ,!re came a      
suppress$ scream f ! door1 z x 0 flung  
op5 & ,aga?a ,seabury /ood !re1 />+ )   
fix$1 set eyes at ,k5n$y1 !n at h]      
husb&4 ,me*anically ,i look$ at my wat*4

 ,x 0 precisely eight4 ,k5n$y _h        
evid5tly prolong$ ! te/ = a purpose4  ,!
 p]son :om y suspect$1 he repeat$       
firmly1 is innoc5t6  ,a mom5t ,aga?a    
/ood !re1 !n z ! ?+ dawn$ on h]1 %e     
utt]$ "o cry1 ,judson6  ,%e reel$ z     
,k5n$y ) a quick /ep or two caught h]4  
,seabury himself seem$ daz$4  ,& ,i h-- 
he ejaculat$1 !n /opp$4  ,k5n$y rais$ 8 
h&4 ,j a mom5t1 please1 he int]rupt$1 z 
he plac$ ,mrs4 ,seabury 9 a *air1 !n    
glanc$ ha/ily at 8 wat*4  ,%e saw !     
motion & seem$ sudd5ly to realize t x 0 
ne>+ ! "t = ,%]burne to call up4 ,) a   
mighty ef=t %e seem$ to grip h]self4 ,%e
 _h j be5 %ock$ to "k t %e 0 *>g$       
unju/ly4 ,b _h %e be5 cle>$ f "o p]il   
only to fall a victim to ano!r--! "o %e 
already fe>$8 ,0 ,%]burne to escape1    
aft] all1 & ru9 h]8  ,! telephone t9kl$ 
insi/5tly4 ,k5n$y seiz$ ! receiv]4  ,:o 
is x8 we he>d him ask4 ,mr4 ,%]burne--oh
 yes4  ,mrs4 ,seabury pal$ at ! "n4 ,i  
saw h] %oot a cov]t glance at h] husb&1 
& 0 reliev$ to see t 8 face betray$ z   

yet no recognition ( ! "n4 ,%e turn$ &  
li/5$ to ,k5n$y1 /ra9+ h] e>s to cat* e 
syllable & int]pret e scrap ( ! "o-sid$ 
conv]sation4  ,quickly ,craig _h jamm$ !
 receiv] d[n on a little metal base :i* 
we _h n notic$ ne> ! in/rum5t4 ,?ree    
prongs rea*+ upw>d f ! base engag$ !    
receiv] tightly1 fitt+ closely ab\t x4  
,!n he took up a wat*-case receiv] to   
li/5 ?r\gh1 9 place ( ! regul> receiv]4 
,%]burne1 y say8 he repeat$4 ,h4 ,morgan
 ,%]burne8  ,app>5tly ! voice at ! o!r  
end ( ! wire repli$ r peevi%ly1 = ,k5n$y
 endeavor$ to smoo? ov] ! delay4 ,we    
wait$ impati5tly z he reit]at$ ! "n4 ,:y
 0 he s c>eful ab\t x8 ,! mom5ts 7 spe$+
 fa/ & ,mrs4 ,seabury f\nd ! susp5se    
t]rific4  ,mu/ pay--we'll nev] get any?+
 on y8 ,craig repeat$ aft] a few mom5ts 
fur!r p>ley4 ,v well4 ,i am commission$ 
to meet y !re 9 t5 m9utes & settle ! ?+ 
up on ^? t]ms1 he conclud$ z he clapp$ !
 regul> receiv] back on its hook ) a    
ha/y good-by & fac$ u triumphantly4  ,! 
deuce ,i won't get any?+4 ,i've got x6  

he exclaim$4  ,judson ,seabury 0 too    
/unn$ by ! revelation t he _h a canc] to
 foll[ cle>ly ! maze ( ev5ts4  ,t1 cri$ 
,k5n$y1 ris+ quickly1 is :at is kn[n z !
 telescribe--a new inv5tion ( ,edison t 
records on a specially prep>$ phonograph
 cyl9d] all t is said--bo? ways--ov] a  
telephone wire4 ,come6  ,t5 m9utes lat]1
 9 a cab t _h be5 wait+ at ! door1 we   
pull$ up at ! ,v&]ve]4  ,)\t a ^w1 leav+
 ,judson ,seabury & 8 wife 9 ! wait+    
cab1 ,craig sprang out1 foll[$ by me1 z 
he signal$4  ,!re 0 ,%]burne1 braz5 &   
insol5t1 9 ! cafe z we ent]$1 f a re>   
door1 & came ^u him be=e he knew x1 our 
fri5d1 ,dunn1 :om we _h met 9 ! lobby1  
hov]+ conceal$ outside1 ready to come to
 our assi/ance4  ,9 a mom5t ,k5n$y 0 at 
,%]burne's elb[1 p9*+ x 9 ! mann]       
famili> to int]national crooks4  ,w y   
tell me :at y\r precise bus9ess is 9 ?is
 hotel8 %ot out ,craig be=e ,%]burne    
c\ld recov] f 8 surprise4  ,%]burne     
flu%$ & fl>$--!n became pale ) rage4    
,none ( y\r damn$ insol5ce6 he gr\nd    

out1 !n paus$1 cutt+ ! next rem>k %ort z
 he gritt$1 ,:at d y mean8 ,%all ,i s5d 
a wax impression ( t key--  ,k5n$y _h   
quickly fla%$ ! cyl9d] ( ! telescribe   
be=e 8 eyes & in/9ctively ,%]burne seem$
 to realize t ) all 8 c>e 9 us+         
typewrit]s & telephones1 "s k9d ( record
 ( 8 extortion _h be5 obta9$4  ,= a     
mom5t he crumpl$ up4 ,!n ,k5n$y seiz$   
him by ! elb[1 dragg+ him t[>d a side   
door opposite t at :i* our cab 0 /&+4   
,i mean1 he mutt]$1 t ,i h ! goods on y 
at la/ & y'll get ! limit = blackmail   
?r\gh ?is little wax cyl9d] if y s mu* z
 %[ y\r face 9 ,new ,york aga94 ,i don't
 c>e :]e y g1 b x mu/ be by ! fir/ tra94
 ,und]/&8  ,a mom5t lat] we return$ to !
 cab1 :]e x _h pull$ up 9 ! %ad[1 away f
 ! c>riage entrance4  ,y--y'll =give    
me--= my--unju/ suspicions--,aga?a8 we  
he>d a voice f ! dep?s ( ! cab say4     
,k5n$y pull$ me back 9 "t n to int]rupt 
a muffl$ ,yes4  ,craig c\gh$4  ,z he    
rea*$ a h& 9 ?r\gh ! cab door to bid    
good-night to ! reunit$ c\ple1 ,i saw   

,mrs4 ,seabury />t1 !n turn & drop into 
h] h&bag ! key :i* ,k5n$y _h extract$ f 
,%]burne's pocket 9 ! melee & n[ convey$
 back to h] 9 ! h&%ake4     ,,*apt]     
,,vii  ,,! ,,diamond ,,que5   ,meet     
,sylvania ,qu>ant9e midnight4 ,/range   
dea? ,raw>uska4 ,reta9 y 9 int]e/       
/eam%ip company4 ,?ompson1 ,purs]4      
,k5n$y _h torn op5 ! envelope ( a       
wireless message t _h come f some:]e out
 9 ! ,atlantic & _h j be5 deliv]$ to him
 at d9n] "o ev5+4 ,he read x quickly &  
toss$ x ov] to me4  ,raw>uska1 ,i       
repeat$4 ,d y suppose t means ! clev]   
little ,russian danc] :o 0 9 ! ',revue' 
la/ ye>8  ,!re c\ld h>dly be two ( t    
unusual "n :o w\ld be ref]r$ to s       
famili>ly1 return$ ,craig4 ,curi\s t    
we've _h no?+ 9 ! wireless news ab\t x4 
,p]haps x has be5 delay$1 ,i sugge/$4   
,let me r+ up ! ,/>4 ,!y may h some?+   
n[4  ,a few m9utes lat] ,i rejo9$ ,craig
 at ! table4 ,a report _h j be5 receiv$ 
t ,raw>uska _h be5 discov]$1 late !     
night be=e1 unconsci\s 9 h] room on !   

,sylvania4 ,! %ip's surgeon _h be5      
summon$1 b be=e he 0 able to d any?+ =  
h] %e di$4 ,t 0 all ! report said4 ,x 0 
meag]1 b x s]v$ to excite our int]e/4   
,r5ee ,raw>uska1 ,i knew1 0 a popul>    
little ,russian danc] abroad :o _h come 
to ,am]ica ! season previ\s & _h made a 
big hit on ,broadway4 ,beautiful1       
/range1 fi]y1 %e inc>nat$ ! my/]i\s     
,slav4 ,i knew h] to be "o ( ^? ,russian
 danc]s be=e ^: p]=mances ,p>isian      
audi5ces _h gone wild ) admiration1 "o  
:o _h c>ri$ h] art beyond any?+ kn[n 9  
o!r c\ntries1 fasc9at+1 subtle4  ,ha/ily
 ov] ! telephone ,k5n$y made arrangem5ts
 to g d[n to ,qu>ant9e on a rev5ue tug t
 0 leav+ to meet ! ,sylvania4  ,x 0 a   
weird trip ?r\gh ! *oppy w9t] seas ( !  
upp] bay & ! ,n>r[s1 9 ! d>k1 ) ! w9d   
cold & bleak4  ,! tug _h sc>cely ca/ (f 
f ! ,batt]y1 :]e we met x1 :5 a man1 :o 
_h be5 wat*+ u f a crevice ( 8 turn$-up 
ul/] coll>1 quietly edg$ ov]4  ,y are   
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 ! detective8 he began1
 m z if ass]t+ x ?an ask+ ! "q4  ,craig 

ey$ him a mom5t1 b said no?+4  ,i       
und]/&1 he w5t on1 n wait+ = a reply1 t 
y are int]e/$ 9 ! case ( t little       
,russian actress1 ,raw>uska8  ,/ill     
,k5n$y said no?+4  ,my "n is ,wade--( ! 
,cu/oms ,s]vice1 pursu$ ! man1 no?+     
aba%$4 ,/ick+ 8 head =w>d betwe5 !      
corn]s ( 8 high coll> he add$1 9 a l[]$ 
voice1 ,y h he>d1 ,i suppose1 ( ! great 
amb] diamond1 ',! ,inv9cible'8  ,k5n$y  
nodd$ & ,i ?\ght hurri$ly ( all ! big   
/ones ,i _h ev] he>d--! ,pitt1 ! ,orl(f1
 ! ,koh-i-noor1 ! ,/> ( ! ,s\?1 !       
,cull9an1 & o!rs4  ,! ,inv9cible1 y "k1 
he add$1 is ! l>ge/ amb] diamond 9 ! _w1
 almo/ ! size ( ! fam\s ,cull9an1 ov]   
?ree hundr$ c>ats4 ,x 0 f\nd 9 ! dry    
digg+s ( ! ,vaal ,riv]1 a few miles f   
,kimb]ley4 ,! dry digg+s are indep5d5t (
 ! ,de ,be]s comb9e1 ( c\rse4 ,well1 its
 own] has always be5 9 ! position ( ,m>k
 ,twa9's man ) ! million-doll> bank-note
 :o f\nd x too l>ge to ca%4 ,no "o kn[s 
j :at an amb] diamond ( t size is really
 wor?4 ,?is "o is almo/ p]fect1         

resembles ! huge top ( a decant] /opp]4 
,x's a beautiful orange color & has be5 
e/imat$ at--well1 z high z close to a   
qu>t] ( a million1 ?\gh1 z ,i said1 t is
 all guesswork4  ,yes8 rem>k$ ,k5n$y1 m 
= polit5ess ?an any?+ else4  ,wade lean$
 ov] clos]4  ,! ,inv9cible1 he :isp]$1  
%ield+ 8 lips f ! ke51 bit+ gale1 0 la/ 
kn[n to belong to ! ,de ,gu]res1 (      
,antw]p4 ,"o ( my special ag5ts abroad  
has cabl$ me to look out = x4 ,he ?9ks  
!re is reason to believe x w be smuggl$ 
into ,am]ica = safe keep+ dur+ ! tr\bles
 9 ,belgium4  ,x seem$ to make no       
diff]5ce to ! cu/oms man t ,k5n$y did n 
exactly welcome him ) op5 arms4 ,! ,de  
,gu]res are well-kn[n deal]s 9 diamonds1
 "o ( ! lead+ h\ses 9 ! 'city (         
diamonds1' z ,antw]p has be5 call$4 ,"o 
( ! ,de ,gu]res is on ! ,sylvania1 !    
junior p>tn]-- he paus$1 !n add$1--!    
husb&1 ,i believe1 ( ,raw>uska4 ,i ?\ght
 p]haps y might be will+ to try to help 
me4  ,i %\ld be glad to1 repli$ ,k5n$y  
t]sely1 pond]+ :at ! (fic] _h told u4   

,no?+ m 0 said on ! trip & at la/ we    
came to ! ,sylvania1 ly+ grim & d>k (   
hull (f ! little clu/] ( ,qu>ant9e      
build+s1 ) myriads ( tw9kl+ lights on   
h]1 f> above b sc>cely reliev+ !        
blackness ( ! levia?an =m4  ,?ompson1 ! 
purs]1 a quiet1 unexcitable ,engli%man1 
met u z we came ov] ! side1 & = ! mom5t 
we lo/ sight ( our new-f\nd fri5d1      
,wade4  ,p]haps y didn't "k x1 in=m$    
,?ompson z we made our way ?r\gh ! %ip1 
b ,raw>uska 0 m>ri$--_h be5 = "s "t4    
,:o 0 h] husb&8 qu]i$ ,k5n$y1 seek+     
confirmation ( :at we _h already he>d4  
,arm& ,de ,gu]re1 a ,belgian1 ( ,antw]p1
 0 ! reply1 "o ( ! p>tn]s 9 a fam\s old 
diamond-cutt+ firm ( t city4  ,k5n$y    
look$ at ! purs] ke5ly = a mom5t1 !n    
ask$1 ,7 !y travel+ toge!r8  ,oh1       
yes1--t is1 he _h engag$ a room1 b y "k 
h[ cr[d$ ! boats are ) refugees flee+ to
 ,am]ica f ! w>4 ,he gave up 8 room1 or 
r 8 %>e ( x1 to a woman1 a pr(essional  
saleswoman1 well kn[n1 ,i believe1 9    
,antw]p z well z ! ,rue de la ,paix 9   

,p>is & ,maid5 ,lane & ,fif? ,av5ue (   
y\r city1 a ,miss ,h(fman--,elsa        
,h(fman4 ,%e %>$ ! room ) ,raw>uska1    
:ile ,de ,gu]re took 8 *ances 9 !       
/e]age4  ,z we walk$ d[n "o ( ! ma9     
corridors we notic$ ahead ( u a seem+ly 
v n]v\s & excit$ g5tleman engag$        
app>5tly 9 a heat$ conv]sation ) ano!r4 
,monsieur ,de ,gu]re1 :isp]$ ,?ompson z 
we approa*$4  ,! two seem$ to be j on ! 
po9t ( p>t+1 z we ne>$ !m1 &1 ,i ?9k1   
our approa* ha/5$ !m4 ,i c\ld n he> :at 
"o ( !m said1 b ,i he>d ,de ,gu]re almo/
 hiss1 z he turn$ on 8 heel1 ,well1 sir1
 y 7 ! la/ "o se5 ) h] alive4  ,a mom5t 
lat] ! purs] introduc$ u to ,de ,gu]re4 
,!re 0 some?+ ab\t him :i* ,i c h>dly   
express on pap]1 a sort ( hypnotic      
fasc9ation4 ,i felt in/9ctively t su* a 
man w\ld wield a p[]ful influ5ce ov] "s 
wom54 ,0 x 9 8 eyes1 or 0 x m]ely 8     
ard5t =eign grace8  ,y mu/ f9d out !    
tru?1 he cri$ eag]ly4 ,already !y are   
say+ t x 0 suicide4 ,b ,i _c believe x4 
,x _c be4 ,no1--%e 0 murd]$6  ,k5n$y    

v5tur$ no op9ion1 b n[1 m ?an ev]1 ha/5$
 to signify to ! purs] t he want$ to    
look ov] ! gr\nd z quickly z possible   
be=e ! %ip dock$4  ,raw>uska1 we f\nd1  
_h occupi$ ,room #ahf1 on ! port side ( 
"o ( ! l[] decks4 ,k5n$y seem$ to be    
ke5ly int]e/$1 z we approa*$ ! room 9   
:i* ! body /ill lay1 await+ arrival at !
 pi] a few h\rs lat]4  ,! /at]oom1      
app>5tly1 ran to ! v sk9 ( ! vessel & ! 
ports op5$ directly on ! wat]1 n ^u an  
outside deck1 z ) ! rooms above x4 ,x 0 
an outside room at ! end ( a sort (     
cross alleyway1 & x 0 impossible t      
anyone c\ld h rea*$ x except ?r\gh !    
corridors4  ,atta*$ to x 0 a little ba? 
& directly across f ! ba?1 on ! o!r     
side1 0 ano!r small room :i* 0 occupi$  
by h] maid1 ,cecilie1 a ,fr5* girl4  ,9 
! ma9 b$room 0 a d\ble b$1 a c\*1 a     
w>drobe1 & a small1 ?9-legg$ writ+ or   
dress+ table4  ,on ! :ite b$ lay ! n[   
cold & m>ble figure ( ! once vivaci\s   
little danc] :o _h en*ant$ ?\s&s 9      
life--petite1 brunette1 voluptu\s4      

,raw>uska 0 beautiful1 ev5 9 dea?4  ,h] 
f9ely *isel$ features1 lack+ t heav9ess 
:i* (t5 *>act]izes ,european wom51 71   
h[ev]1 t]ribly drawn & h] p]fect        
complexion on :i* %e _h prid$ h]self 0  
n[ all mottl$ & blui%4  ,z ,k5n$y exam9$
 ! body1 ,i c\ld n help obs]v+ t !re    
seem$ to be e evid5ce t ! girl _h be5   
asphyxiat$ 9 "s /range mann]4  ,_h x be5
 by a deft t\* on a n]ve ( h] beautiful1
 s(t neck t _h con/rict$ ! ?roat & cut  
(f h] brea?8 ,i _h he>d ( su* ?+s4 ,or  
_h x be5 asphyxiation due to a poison t 
_h p>alyz$ ! *e/ muscles8  ,! purs]1 z  
soon z we came abo>d1 _h summon$ ! %ip's
 surgeon1 & we _h sc>cely arriv$ at     
,raw>uska's room :5 he jo9$ u4 ,he 0 "o 
( ^? solid1 reliable doctors1 n         
brilliant1 b "o 9 :om y might place     
great confid5ce1 a ,dr4 ,s&]son1 educat$
 9 ,ed9burgh1 & long a foll[] ( ! sea4  
,0 !re any evid5ce ( a /ruggle8 ask$    
,k5n$y4  ,no1 none :atev]1 repli$ !     
doctor4  ,no peculi> odor1 no receptacle
 ( any k9d ne> h] t might h held poison8

  ,no1 no?+ t c\ld h be5 us$ to hold    
poison or a drug4  ,k5n$y 0 reg>d+ !    
face ( ! little danc] att5tively4 ,mo/  
extraord9>y1 he rem>k$ sl[ly1 t conge/$ 
look %e has4  ,yes1 agre$ ,dr4 ,s&]son1 
h] face 0 flu%$ & blue :5 ,i got to     
h]--cyanotic1 ,i %\ld say4 ,!re seem$ to
 be a great dryness ( h] ?roat & !      
muscles ( h] ?roat 7 p>etic4 ,h] pupils 
7 dilat$1 too1 & h] pulse 0 rapid1 z if 
f a greatly increas$ blood pressure4  ,0
 %e consci\s8 ask$ ,k5n$y1 almo/        
rev]5tly turn+ ov] h] rigid body & look+
 at ! back ( h] neck & ! upp] sp9e4 ,did
 %e recognize any?+1 say any?+8  ,%e    
seem$ to be 9 a /ate ( amnesia1 repli$  
,s&]son sl[ly4 ,evid5tly if %e _h se5   
any?+ %e _h =gott5 or w\ldn't tell1 he  
add$ cauti\sly4  ,:o f\nd h]8 ask$      
,craig4 ,h[ 0 %e discov]$8  ,:y1 ,miss  
,h(fman f\nd h]1 repli$ ! purs] quickly4
 ,%e call$ "o ( ! /ew>ds4 ,%e _h be5    
sitt+ 9 ! libr>y read+ until q late &   
,raw>uska _h retir$ e>ly1 = %e 0 n a    
good sailor1 !y tell me4 ,x mu/ h be5   

ne>ly midnight :5 ,de ,gu]re & a fri5d1 
paus+ at ! libr>y door on _! way f !    
smok+ room1 saw ,miss ,h(fman1 & all    
?ree /opp$ 9 ! ,ritz re/aurant = a bite 
to eat4  ,de ,gu]re walk$ d[n ! corridor
 ) ,miss ,h(fman aft]w>ds1 he cont9u$1 &
 left h] z %e w5t into ! room ) 8 wife4 
,p]haps a m9ute lat]--long en\gh anyway 
s t he _h rea*$ ! o!r end ( !           
corridor--%e scream$4 ,%e _h turn$ on ! 
light & _h f\nd ,raw>uska ly+ half      
across ! b$1 unconsci\s4 ,miss ,h(fman  
call$ to ! /ew>d to summon ,dr4 ,pre/on1
 b he came to me fir/1 in/ead4  ,dr4    
,pre/on8 repeat$ ,k5n$y4  ,yes1 a "y    
,am]ican physician1 ! fri5d :o _h be5 ) 
,de ,gu]re 9 ! smok+ room "p ( ! ev5+1 &
 lat] made up ! p>ty 9 ! re/aurant1     
v\*saf$ ,s&]son4  ,! man ,de ,gu]re 0   
talk+ to z we came d[n ! hall1 put 9    
,?ompson4  ,h'm1 mus$ ,k5n$y1 evid5tly  
?9k+ ( ! rem>k we _h ov]he>d4  ,i've    
talk$ ) him n[ & !n myself1 admitt$     
,s&]son2 a bright fell[ :o has be5 /udy+
 abroad & aft] _m adv5tures succe$$ 9   

gett+ across ! bord] into ,holl& & !nce 
to ,engl&4 ,he manag$ to squeeze into ! 
/e]age ( ! ,sylvania1 ?\gh1 ( c\rse1 l  
,de ,gu]re1 he 0 class$ z a fir/-cab9   
pass5g]4 ,he _h become v fri5dly )      
,raw>uska & h] p>ty :ile !y 7 wait+ =   
book+s 9 ,london4  ,?ompson lean$ ov]4  
,! /ew>d 9 ! corridor tells me1 he said 
9 a l[ tone1 t e>ly 9 ! ev5+ ,dr4       
,pre/on & ,raw>uska 7 on ! prom5ade deck
 toge!r4  ,i tri$ vaguely to piece      
toge!r ! scraps ( in=mation :i* we _h   
glean$4 ,k5n$y1 h[ev]1 said no?+1 b 0 n[
 lean+ ov] ! body ( ! little danc]1     
look+ at ! upp] region ( h] sp9e        
att5tively4 ,quietly1 f a gr\p ( ?ree or
 f\r little r$ m>ks on h] back he       
squeez$ out sev]al drops ( liquid1      
absorb+ !m on a piece ( /]ile gauze4  ,a
 mom5t lat]1 ,de ,gu]re1 :o _h quietly  
slipp$ away dur+ ! exam9ation1 z if     
unable to be> ! sight ( ! trag$y1       
return$1 & ) him 0 a "y woman4  ,miss   
,elsa ,h(fman1 he introduc$4  ,elsa     
,h(fman 0 ( a fasc9at+ type1 tall1 f9ely

 g[n$1 ( sup]b poise1 physically p]fect4
 ,"o c\ld n help admir+ h] deep blue    
eyes & blonde radiance4 ,inde$1 ,i felt 
t "o mu/ rely mu* on h] attractions 9   
pursuit ( h] bus9ess ( sell+ gems to    
weal?y m5 & wom54 ,/ill1 9 spite ( h]   
evid5t poise1 ! trag$y seem$ to h       
oppress$ & unn]v$ h]4  ,%e did n seem to
 be able to add mu* to ! scanty /ock (  
facts we _h1 ev5 aft] repeat+ ! /ory (  
h] discov]y ( ,raw>uska1 :i* 0          
sub/antially z ! purs] _h already told  
x4  ,i--,i ?9k p]haps ,mr4 ,k5n$y ought 
to "q ,cecilie1 %e sugge/$ f9ally1 turn+
 t[>d ,de ,gu]re1 :o nodd$ 8 ass5t4  ,a 
sudd5 movem5t 9 ! passageway foll[$1 & !
 door op5$ quietly4 ,a man ent]$1 a     
y\ngi% fell[ ( f9e physique & attractive
 face4 ,i recogniz$ him imm$iately z    
,dr4 ,pre/on4 ,8 app>5tly usually       
debonair mann] 0 visibly subdu$ by !    
pres5ce ( dea?4  ,evid5tly he _h j he>d 
t someone 0 inve/igat+ ! trag$y & _h    
ha/5$ to be pres5t4 ,bo? ,de ,gu]re &   
,elsa nodd$ to him1 a trifle coldly4    

,only a mom5t did he pause to look at ! 
drawn face on ! pill[1 !n /ood ap>t1 ill
 at ease until ,k5n$y _h f9i%$ 8 m9ute  
exam9ation4  ,z ,k5n$y mov$ away f ! b$1
 ,dr4 ,pre/on contriv$ to place himself 
ne> him & ap>t f ! re/4  ,mr4 ,k5n$y1 he
 began 9 a husky und]tone1 !y tell me y 
h be5 engag$ to inve/igate ?is--?is     
awful affair4  ,k5n$y ass5t$4  ,if !re  
is any?+ ,i c d to help y1 ,pre/on add$ 
anxi\sly1 ,i hope y w comm& me4 ,9 fact1
 he add$ z ,k5n$y nodd$ :ile ,pre/on    
glanc$ cov]tly at ,de ,gu]re & ,miss    
,h(fman1 ,i hope y'll get at ! tru?4    
,?ank y1 respond$ ,k5n$y1 meet+ 8 eye   
squ>ely ?is "t2 ,i %all be glad to call 
on y if occasion arises4  ,i wat*$      
,pre/on closely1 n q mak+ out j :at he 0
 driv+ at1 nor ! reason = ! /ra9$       
relations t n[ seem$ to exi/ among ! =m]
 fri5ds4 ,/ill foll[+ ,k5n$y's e motion1
 ,pre/on retir$ to ! position ( a m ?an 
int]e/$ spectator4     ,,*apt] ,,viii   
,,! ,,ane/hetic ,,vaporiz]   ,craig _h  
complet$ a ha/y se>* ( ! room1 ) its    

little dress+ table1 two trunks1 & a    
cab9et4 ,ev]y?+ seem$ to h be5 kept 9 a 
mo/ neat & ord]ly mann] by ! att5tive   
,cecilie1 :o 0 app>5tly a model s]vant4 
,! little :ite ba?room 0 equally        
immaculate1 & ,k5n$y pass$ next to an   
exam9ation ( ! little room ( ! ,fr5*    
maid4  ,cecilie 0 a pretty1 d>k little  
be+1 ) snapp+ black eyes1 ! type (      
w9some ,fr5* maid t "o w\ld naturally h 
expect$ ,raw>uska1 ) h] arti/'s love ( !
 beautiful1 to h pick$ out to s]ve h]   
da9ty self4  ,z ,i ran my eye ov] ! gr\p
 t 0 n[ int5tly wat*+ ,k5n$y at "w1 ,i  
fanci$ ,i caught ,elsa ,h(fman eye+     
,cecilie %>ply1 & ,i am sure t once at  
lea/ ^? black eyes snapp$ back a        
wireless message ( defiance at !        
p5etrat+ eyes ( blue4 ,i c\ld feel      
in/9ctively ! atmosph]e ( ho/ility      
betwe5 ! two wom54  ,! door 0 n lock$1 y
 say8 repeat$ ,craig1 foll[+ up "o ( !  
fir/ ( 8 own que/ions to ,cecilie1 :i*  
_h result$ 9 une>?+ ?is new fact4  ,non1
 monsieur1 repli$ ,cecilie 9 acc5t$     

,engli% :i* 0 *>m+4 ,mam'selle--we all  
call$ h] t1 h] /age "n1--us$ to leave x 
op5 9 case ( fire or accid5t4 ,%e _h a  
t]rible fe> ( dr[n+4 ,y "k !re h be5 "s 
awful wrecks lately1 & %e 01 oh1 s      
n]v\s4  ,b h] valuables8 prompt$ ,craig 
quickly1 wat*+ ! effect ( 8 "q4  ,all 9 
! %ip's safe1 9 c>e ( ! purs]1 repli$   
,cecilie4 ,s 7 ,miss ,h(fman's4  ,yes1  
corroborat$ ,?ompson1 &1 besides1 !     
corridors & passageways are well        
patroll$ by /ew>ds at all times4  ,!    
se>* ( ,cecilie's room1 :i* 0 small] & m
 scantily furni%$1 took only a few      
m9utes4  ,a suppress$ exclamation f     
,craig s]v$ to div]t my att5tion f !    
/udy ( ^? ar\nd me to ! /udy ( ,k5n$y   
himself1 & :at he _h discov]$4  ,hidd5  
away 9 ! back ( a draw] 9 a small       
*iffoni]1 he _h come across sev]al      
articles t ar\s$ int]e/ if !y did n :et 
! blade ( suspicion4  ,mon ,dieu6       
exclaim$ ! maid z ,k5n$y suppress$ a    
smile ( gratification at ! outcome ( !  
se>*4 ,b t is n m9e6  ,k5n$y drew out f 

! back ( ! draw]1 :]e x _h be5 tuck$1 a 
little silk5 bag4 ,he op5$ x4 ,on !     
surface x seem$ t ! bag 0 empty4 ,b z he
 br\ght x cauti\sly clos] to 8 face to  
pe] 91 ,i c\ld see t j a :iff ( its     
cont5ts 0 en\gh4  ,:at h y !re8 ,i ask$ 
,k5n$y1 c>eful t no "o else c\ld ov]he> 
u4  ,cay5ne pepp]1 snuff1 & "s o!r      
*emical1 sneez$ ,craig4 ,v effective to 
?r[ into ! face ( anyone1 he comm5t$1   
clos+ quickly ! bag by its loose draw+  
/r+s1 t is1 if y m]ely want to bl9d him 
& put him out tempor>ily4  ,i did n pay 
mu* att5tion to ! prote/s ( ! maid1 nor 
! look ( triumph t cross$ ! face ( ,elsa
 ,h(fman & surprise exhibit$ by ,dr4    
,pre/on4 ,= ,k5n$y _h pick$ up f ! same 
draw] a little toilet vaporiz]1 too1 & 0
 exam9+ x m9utely4  ,z he held x up1 ,i 
c\ld see1 or r ,i fanci$ t x 0 empty4   
,he press$ ! bulb lightly1 !n seem$ to  
/>t back quickly4  ,:at's t8 ,i qu]i$1  
my/ifi$ at 8 actions4  ,some?+ ! ,fr5*  
secret s]vice spies call ! 'bad p]fume1'
 he return$ frankly1 an ane/hetic s     

incr$ibly rapid & viol5t t ! spies1     
usually wom51 :o use x we> a filt] veil 
ov] _! own m\?s & noses to protect      
!mselves4  ,! :ole ?+ 0 s que] t ,i c\ld
 only wond] :at might be ! explanation4 
,cecilie 0 prote/+ volubly1 n[ 9 fair   
,engli%1 n[ 9 liquid ,fr5*1 t %e knew   
absolutely no?+ ( ! articles4  ,i wond]$
 :e!r ,raw>uska h]self might n h plac$  
!m !re4 ,might %e n h be5 a spy1 "o ( ^?
 clev] little danc]s :o _h worm$        
!mselves by _! graceful agility into !  
good graces ( "s ( ! _w's lead+ m5 &    
made ,russia a recogniz$ diplomatic p[]8
  ,some?+ l ! same idea mu/ h be5       
sugge/$ to ,dr4 ,s&]son1 :o 0 /&+ next  
me1 = he b5t ov] & rem>k$ to me 9 an    
und]tone1 ) a significant glance at :at 
,k5n$y _h discov]$1 ,i suppose y realize
 t ! position ( ! ,russian gov]nm5t has 
und]gone a m>k$ *ange s9ce ! ,russian   
danc]s h won int]national popul>ity8  ,i
 _h n ?\ght mu* ab\t x be=e1 b n[ t he  
m5tion$ x1 ,i c\ld n help a nod ( ass5t4
  ,:y1 ,i h he>d1 he cont9u$ ) ! air ( a

 man :o is imp>t+ a big piece (         
in=mation1 t ! beautiful "y wom5 ( !    
imp]ial ballet m+le 9 ! society ( !     
capitals ( ! _w1 make fri5ds )          
politicians1 social lead]s1 high        
(ficials1 & ex]t a great influ5ce 9     
favor ( _! own c\ntry :]ev] !y g4 ,no   
d\bt1 he add$1 !y sometimes convey      
valuable in=mation to ! ,=eign ,(fice   
:i* c\ld n be obta9$ 9 any o!r way4  ,i 
0 n pay+ mu* att5tion to him1 b /ill !  
doctor rattl$ on 9 an und]tone1 ,"s ( ^!
 danc]s are pa/ ma/]s 9 ! art (         
intrigue4 ,d y suppose ,raw>uska & ! re/
 h _h ! task set = !m to w9 back !      
public op9ion ( y\r c\ntry1 :i* dep>t$ f
 its traditional policy ( fri5dl9ess    
dur+ ! ,japanese w>8  ,i made no answ]4 
,i 0 engross$ 9 consid]+ ! prim>y "q4   
,c\ld x h be5 a suicide1 aft] all8      
,surely %e _h remov$ ! evid5ces ( x mu* 
bett] ?an 9 any o!r case ,i _h ev] se54 
,or1 _h !re be5 a triangle1 p]haps a    
quadrangle "h8 ,i c\ld n p]suade myself 
t ,de ,gu]re c>$ greatly = 8 wife1      

except p]haps to be jeal\s ( anyone else
 hav+ h]4 ,he 0 too att5tive to ,elsa   
,h(fman1 & %e1 9 turn1 0 n ( ! type to  
c>e mu* = anyone4 ,z = ,dr4 ,pre/on1    
al?\gh he seem$ to h _h a fri5d%ip =    
,raw>uska1 ,i c\ld n exactly fit him    
into ! s*eme ( ?+s4  ,we proce$$ up !   
bay on ! ,sylvania1 b 7 able to discov] 
no?+ fur!r t night4 ,z we left ! %ip at 
! dock 9 ! morn+ we ran across ,wade1 :o
 0 quietly direct+ a doz5 or s ( 8 m54  
,any trace yet ( ! ,inv9cible8 ask$     
,craig1 /opp+ 9 an uno/5tati\s corn]4   
,! cu/oms man %ook 8 head gravely4 ,n   
yet1 he repli$4 ,b ,i'm n disc\rag$4 ,if
 we miss x "h 9 ! cu/oms inspection x w 
be sure to turn up lat]4 ,!re's a %ady  
jewel] on ,fif? ,av5ue1 ,m>got1 :o kn[s 
^! ,antw]p p pretty well4 ,i h a man    
work+ !re1 a diamond cutt]1 & o!r ag5ts 
9 ! trade4 ,oh1 ,i'll he> ab\t x soon   
en\gh1 if x is "h4 ,only ,i'd l to h    
done some?+ spectacul>1 some?+ t w\ld   
c\nt = me at ,wa%+ton4 ,h y f\nd out    
any?+8  ,briefly ,k5n$y told him "s ( ! 

scatt]$ facts we _h discov]$1 j en\gh to
 satisfy him )\t tak+ him into our      
confid5ce4  ,i'm go+ to be busy 9 !     
laboratory1 ,walt]1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y z our 
taxicab extricat$ itself f ! ruck ( !   
riv]-front /reets4 ,i don't "k t !re is 
any?+ t y c d--except--well1 yes4 ,i wi%
 y'd try to keep an eye on "s ( ^! p--t 
maid1 ,cecilie1 especially4  ,we _h     
le>n$ t ,de ,gu]re 0 to /op at ! ,v&]ve]
 &1 lat] 9 ! morn+1 ,i dropp$ into !    
hotel & glanc$ ov] ! regi/]4 ,de ,gu]re 
0 regi/]$ !re & ,cecilie _h a little    
room1 also1 p5d+ ! disposal he w\ld make
 ( h]4 ,miss ,h(fman _h rooms ( h] own1 
:i* %e _h evid5tly re-engag$1 ) a family
 9 a resid5tial /reet n f> f ! hotel4   
,! cl]k told me t ,de ,gu]re 0 out1 b t 
! maid _h return$ aft] hav+ be5 out     
alone1 = a %ort "t1 also4 ,! lobby ( !  
,v&]ve] 0 fairly cr[d$ ) p by ?is "t1 & 
,i f\nd no difficulty 9 keep+ 9 !       
backgr\nd & /ill see+ pretty mu* ev]y?+ 
t w5t on4  ,x 0 r tame1 h[ev]1 & ,i 0   
/ill debat+ :e!r ,i %\ld n d some?+     

active1 :5 ,i happ5$ to glance up & cat*
 sight ( a famili> face4 ,x 0 ,dr4      
,pre/on mak+ inquiries = someone ( !    
room cl]k4 ,i dodg$ back ( a pill> &    
wait$1 cov]+ myself ) an e>ly morn+ w>  
extra t repeat$ ! news ( ! night be=e4  
,a few mom5ts lat]1 ,pre/on1 :o _h      
receiv$ an answ] f :omev] he 0 call+1   
edg$ 8 way t[>d "o ( ! des]t$ little    
reception rooms ne> a side c>riage      
entrance4 ,c>efully1 ,i trail$ him4  ,x 
0 "s m9utes be=e ,i c\ld make up my m9d 
to risk pass+ ! door ( ! little p>lor & 
be+ discov]$1 b ,i 0 gr[+ impati5t4 ,z  
,i glanc$ 9 ,i 0 a/oni%$ to see him     
talk+ e>ne/ly to ,cecilie4 ,i did n d>e 
/op1 = fe> "o or ! o!r might look up1 b 
,i c\ld see t ,pre/on 0 eag]ly que/ion+ 
h]4 ,h] face 0 av]t$ f me & ,i c\ld n   
read ev5 h] expression4 ,! passageway 0 
des]t$1 & if ,i paus$ ,i w\ld inevitably
 attract att5tion4 ,s ,i kept on1 turn+ 
in/9ctively 9 ! labyr9? & com+ back to !
 lobby1 :]e ,i f\nd a position ne> !    
telephone boo?s :i* gave me a conceal$  

view at lea/ ( ! door ( ! p>lor ar\nd an
 angle4 ,i wait$4  ,p]haps five m9utes  
pass$4 ,!n ,cecilie & ,dr4 ,pre/on      
sudd5ly em]g$ f ! reception room4       
,evid5tly ! maid 0 anxi\s to get away1  
p]haps afraid to be se5 ) him4 ,) a ^w1 
%e almo/ ran d[n ! corridor 9 !         
direction ( ! re> elevators1 & ,pre/on1 
) a que] look on 8 face1 came sl[ly t[>d
 me4  ,in/9ctively ,i drew back into a  
telephone boo?2 !n x occurr$ to me t if 
,i em]g$ j z he pass$ he w\ld n be      
likely to suspect any?+1 & ,i might h a 
*ance to /udy him4  ,i did s1 & 0 q     
amus$ at ! look ( surprise on 8 face z  
,i greet$ him4 ,/ill1 ,i d n ?9k he     
?\ght ,i 0 %ad[+ him4 ,we paus$ = a     
mom5t on ! /reet1 aft] a conv5tional    
ex*ange ( rem>ks ab\t ! trag$y to poor  
little ,raw>uska4  ,t ,miss ,h(fman     
seems to be a v capable woman1 ,i       
rem>k$1 by way ( dragg+ ! conv]sation   
into *annels into :i* x seem$ unlikely  
to drift naturally4  ,y-yes1 he agre$1 z
 ,i caught a sidelong glance f ! corn] (

 8 eye4 ,i believe %e has _h a r *eck]$ 
c>e]4 ,i und]/& t %e 0 a nurse1 a tra9$ 
nurse1 once4  ,!re 0 some?+ ab\t ! rem>k
 t impress$ me4 ,x 0 made delib]ately1  
,i fanci$4 ,:at 8 purpose 01 ,i c\ld n  
fa?om1 b ,i felt t 9 ! in/ant :ile he _h
 hesitat$ he _h debat$ & made up 8 m9d  
to say x4  ,my face betray+ no?+ to 8   
se>*+ glance1 he pull$ ha/ily at 8 wat*4
 ,i'm go+ d[nt[n on ! subway--to cle> up
 "s ( ! muss t ?is ,european bus9ess has
 got me 9 ) my bank]s1 he said quickly4 
,i'd be glad to h y call on me at any "t
 at ! ,*>lton1 j up ! av5ue a bit4      
,good-day1 sir4 ,i'm glad to h met y4   
,drop 9 on me4  ,he 0 gone1 sc>cely     
wait+ = me to reply1 leav+ me to wond]  
:at 0 ! cause ( 8 /range actions4       
,me*anically ,i look$ at my own wat* &  
decid$ t ,i _h left ,craig undi/urb$    
long en\gh4     ,,*apt] ,,ix  ,,!       
,,twilight ,,sleep   ,z ,i ent]$ !      
laboratory ,i saw be=e him a peculi>1   
telescope-l in/rum5t1 at "o end ( :i*1 9
 a j> ( oxyg51 some?+ 0 burn+ ) a       

brilliant1 p5etrat+ flame4  ,he paus$ 9 
8 "w & ,i ha/5$ to tell him ( ! peculi> 
exp]i5ce ,i _h _h 9 ! =5oon4 ,b he said 
no?+1 ev5 at ! significant actions (    
,dr4 ,pre/on4  ,h[ ab\t ^? ?+s y f\nd 9 
! maid's room8 ,i ask$ at l5g?4 ,d !y   
expla9 ,raw>uska's dea?8  ,! tr\ble )   
!m1 he repli$1 ?\ghtfully %ak+ 8 head1  
is t ! effects ( su* ?+s la/ only = a   
%ort "t4 ,!y might h be5 us$ at fir/--b 
!re 0 some?+ us$ aft]w>d4  ,some?+      
aft]w>d8 ,i repeat$1 ke5ly int]e/$1 &   
f+]+ ! telescope-l arrangem5t curi\sly4 
,:at's ?is8  ,"o ( ! new qu>tz l5s      
spectroscopes us$ by ,dr4 ,dobbie ( !   
,engli% ,gov]nm5t laboratories1 he      
answ]$ briefly4 ,i ?9k *emi/s1 police   
(ficials1 coron]s & physicians are go+  
to f9d x mo/ valuable4 ,y see1 by ?r[+ !
 ultra-violet "p ( ! spectrum f a s\rce 
( light z ,i obta9 f ! sp>k+ ( iron 9   
oxyg5 ?r\gh ! l5ses ( a qu>tz           
spectroscope1 ! l9es ( _m dang]\s drugs1
 especially ( ! alkaloids1 c be di/9ctly
 & quickly locat$ 9 ! spectrum4 ,ea*    

drug produces a *>act]i/ic k9d ( l9e4   
,we use a qu>tz l5s because glass cuts  
(f ! ultra-violet rays4 ,:y1 ev5 ! mo/  
m9ute p>ticle ( poison c be detect$ 9   
?is revolution>y fa%ion4  ,he _h resum$ 
squ9t+ ?r\gh ! spectroscope4  ,well1 ,i 
ask$1 d y f9d any?+ !re8  ,he _h        
evid5tly be5 us+ ! piece ( gauze on :i* 
he _h pres]v$ ! liquid f ! peculi>      
little m>ks on ,raw>uska's sp9e4        
,n>coph91 he mutt]$1 /ill squ9t+4       
,n>coph98 ,i repeat$4 ,:at is t8  ,a    
d]ivative ( opium--morph9e4 ,!re's ano!r
 poison "h1 too1 he add$4  ,:at is x8   
,scopolam9e1 he answ]$ t]sely1          
scopolam9e hydrobromide4  ,:y1 ,i       
exclaim$1 t is ! drug !y use 9 ?is new  
'twilight sleep1' z !y call x4          
,exactly1 he repli$1 ! daemm]s*laf4 ,i  
suspect$ some?+ ( ! k9d :5 ,i saw ^?    
little punctures on h] back4 ,"s p %[ a 
m>k$ susceptibility to x2 o!rs j !      
rev]se4 ,evid5tly %e 0 "o ( ^? :o g "u x
 quietly & quickly4  ,i look$ at ,k5n$y 
9 amazem5t4  ,y c see1 he w5t on1 cat*+ 

! expression on my face1 if x c\ld be   
us$ = m$ical sci5ce1 x c\ld also be us$ 
= crime4 ,t's ! way ,i reason$1 ! way   
someone else mu/ h reason$4  ,he paus$1 
!n w5t on4 ,someone ?\ght out ?is plan (
 us+ n>coph9 & scopolam9e to cause !    
twilight sleep1 to keep ,raw>uska j on !
 bord]l& ( unconsci\sness1 de/roy+ h]   
memory & produc+ =getfulness4 ,t is !   
daemm]s*laf2 p]ception is reta9$ b      
memory lo/4 ,y are acqua9t$ ) ! te/8 ,!y
 %[ an object to a pati5t & ask h] if %e
 sees x4 ,say1 half an h\r lat]1 x is   
%[n aga94 ,if %e rememb]s x1 x is a sign
 t a new injection is necess>y4  ,only 9
 ?is case ! crim9al w5t too f>1         
disreg>d$ ! dang] ( ! ?+4 ,scopolam9e 9 
too great a quantity causes dea? by     
p>alysis ( respiration--a p>alysis1 by !
 way1 aga9/ :i* artificial respiration &
 all means ( /imulat+ are ineffective   
because ( ! rigidity ( ! muscles4 ,& s1 
y see1 9 ?is case ,raw>uska di$4  ,i    
c\ld n help ?9k+ ( ,pre/on1 ! "y doctor 
:o _h be5 /udy+ 9 ,g]many4 ,m ?an likely

 he _h he>d ( & _h inve/igat$ ! ,frieb]g
 twilight sleep treatm5t4 ,we _h made "s
 progress1 ev5 ?\gh we did n "k :y or by
 :om ! drugs _h be5 adm9i/]$4  ,wade1 ( 
! ,cu/oms ,s]vice1 _h1 z ,i h said1 told
 u t he _h sev]al secret ag5ts ab\t 9 ! 
trade1 con/antly pick+ up bits (        
in=mation t might int]e/ ! ,treasury    
,dep>tm5t4 ,x did n surprise ,k5n$y1    
!re=e1 late 9 ! =5oon1 to h ,wade call  
up & tell him t among ! e>ly call]s at  
,m>got's1 ! jewel]1 0 ! maid ,cecilie4  
,t 0 :]e %e mu/ h be5 be=e ,i rea*$ !   
,v&]ve]1 ,i exclaim$4  ,k5n$y nodd$4 ,b 
:y did %e g !re8 he ask$4 ,& :y 0 %e    
talk+ ) ,pre/on8  ,inasmu* z ,i c\ldn't 
answ] ! que/ions ,i didn't try1 b wait$ 
:ile ,craig reason$ out "s me?od (      
attack on !m4  ,s9ce x's kn[n t we're   
work+ on ! case ( ,raw>uska1 he rum9at$ 
half an h\r lat] ov] an unta/$ lun*1 we 
might j z well take ! risk ( see+ ,m>got
 himself4 ,let's g d[n & look 8 %op ov]4
  ,s 9 ! middle ( ! aft]noon1 :5 ,fif?  
,av5ue 0 cr[d$ ) %opp]s1 we paus$ be=e  

,m>got's w9d[1 look+ ov] ! entranc+     
display ( preci\s /ones gleam+ out f !  
ri* black velvet backgr\nd1 & !n saunt]$
 91 l any o!r cu/om]s4  ,k5n$y engag$ ! 
salesman 9 talk ab\t necklaces &        
lavalli]es1 always lead+ ! conv]sation  
ar\nd to ! l>ge/ /ones t he saw1 &      
dwell+ p>ticul>ly on ^? t 7 color$4 ,z  
,i li/5$1 try+ to ?r[ 9 a ^w n[ & !n t  
w\ld n s\nd absolutely fooli%1 ,i 0     
impress$ by a feel+ t ,m>got's1 ev5 ?\gh
 x 0 su* a fa%ionable place1 0 :at might
 be call$ only a high-class %y/]'s4 ,9  
fact1 ,i recall$ hav+ he>d t ,m>got _h  
eng9e]$ sev]al r que/ionable            
transactions 9 gems4  ,i'm mu* int]e/$ 9
 orange /ones1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y1 casually  
turn+ up a flawless :ite diamond &      
disc>d+ x z if x did n int]e/ him4 ,once
 :5 ,i 0 abroad ,i saw ! fam\s          
,inv9cible1 & a h&som] gem ?an x is ,i  
nev] hope to see4  ,! cl]k1 ev] oblig+1 
replac$ ! tray be=e u 9 ! safe & retir$ 
t[>d ! back ( ! %op4  ,he suspects no?+1
 at lea/1 :isp]$ ,k5n$y4  ,a mom5t lat] 

he return$4 ,i'm sorry1 he report$1 b we
 hav5't any su* /ones 9 ! h\se4 ,b ,i   
believe we expect "s 9 a few days4 ,if y
 c\ld--  ,i %all rememb] x2 ?ank y1     
int]rupt$ ,k5n$y brusquely1 z ,i caught 
a mom5t>y gleam ( satisfaction 9 8 eye4 
,t's mo/ =tunate4 ,i'll be 9 aga94 ,?ank
 y4  ,we turn$ t[>d ! door4 ,9 an in/ant
 x fla%$ ov] me t p]haps !y 7 recutt+ ! 
big ,inv9cible4  ,j a mom5t1 please1    
g5tlem51 int]rupt$ a voice beh9d u4  ,a 
%ort1 /ocky man _h come up beh9d u4  ,i 
?\ght y did n look l pur*as]s1 nor yet l
 crooks1 he said defiantly4 ,did ,i he> 
y ref] to ! ,inv9cible8  ,x 0 ,m>got    
himself1 :o _h be5 hov]+ ab\t beh9d u4  
,k5n$y said no?+4  ,yes1 he w5t on1 ,i  
am cutt+ a l>ge diamond1 b x is n l !   
,inv9cible4 ,x is mu* h&som]--"o t 0    
discov]$ "r "h 9 ?is c\ntry 9 ! new     
diamond fields ( ,arkansas4 ,! diamond  
itself is already sold4 ,& y w\ld nevair
 guess ! buy]1 oh1 nevair6  ,no8 qu]i$  
,k5n$y4  ,nevair6 reit]at$ ,m>got4  ,x  
c\ld n be deliv]$ to a woman :o 0 once !

 maid ( ,raw>uska1 ! ,russian danc]8    
,craig ask$ abruptly4  ,m>got %ot a     
quick & suspici\s glance at u4  ,!n y   
are1 z ,i suspect$1 a detectif8 he cri$4
  ,k5n$y ey$ him %>ply )\t admitt+ !    
he9\s *>ge4 ,m>got return$ 8 look & ,i  
felt t ( all say+s t ab\t a di%one/ man 
n be+ able to look y 9 ! eye 0 itself ! 
lea/ cr$ible4 ,he laugh$ d>+ly4 ,well1  
p]haps y are "r1 he said4 ,b :oev] x is1
 he is lucky to h b\ght a /one l x s    
*eaply6  ,! man 0 baffl+4 ,i c\ld n     
figure x out4 ,_h ,m>got be5 simply a   
high-class f5ce = ! disposal & conv5i5t 
reappe>ance ( /ol5 goods8  ,we return$  
upt[n to our ap>tm5t to f9d t 9 !       
meantime ,wade _h call$ up aga94 ,k5n$y 
got him on ! wire4 ,x seem$ t %ortly    
aft] we left ,m>got's ,cecilie _h call$ 
aga9 & _h gone (f ) a small1 c>efully   
wrapp$ package4  ,a /range case1 pond]$ 
,k5n$y1 z he hung up ! receiv]4 ,fir/   
!re is a murd] t looks l a suicide1 !n !
 sale ( a diamond t looks l a fake4 ,he 
paus$ a mom5t4 ,!y h work$ quickly to   

cov] x up2 we mu/ "w ) equal quickness  
if we are to uncov] !m4  ,) almo/       
lightn+ rapidity he _h seiz$ ! telephone
 aga9 & _h our old fri5d ,fir/ ,deputy  
,o',connor on ! wire4 ,briefly he       
expla9$ ! case1 & arrang$ = ! necess>y  
arre/s t w\ld br+ ! pr9cipal actors 9 ! 
little drama to ! laboratory t night4   
,!n he fell to "w on a little delicate  
electrical in/rum5t consi/+1 outw>dly at
 lea/1 ( a dial ) a po9t] & sev]al      
little c>bon h&les atta*$ to wires1 z   
well z a swit*bo>d4  ,i "k t ,k5n$y did 
n reli% hav+ 8 h& =c$ 9 ?is mann]1 b    
nev]!less he 0 equal to ! em]g5cy & :51 
aft] d9n]1 ^? :om ,o',connor _h r\nd$ up
 began to appe> at ! laboratory1 no "o  
w\ld ev] h imag9$ t he _h n ! entire    
case on ! v tip ( 8 tongue1 almo/ bur/+ 
=? an accusation4  ,de ,gu]re _h compli$
 ) ! police ord] by s5d+ ,cecilie alone 
9 a cab1 & lat] he drove up ) ,miss     
,h(fman4 ,dr4 ,pre/on came 9 %ortly     
aft]w>d1 %oot+ a ke5 glance at ,cecilie1
 & avoid+ m ?an a nod to ,de ,gu]re4    

,m>got himself 0 ! la/ to arrive1       
prote/+ volubly4 ,wade1 ( c\rse1 0      
already !re4  ,i really mu/ beg y\r     
p>don1 began ,k5n$y1 z he ignor$ !      
qu]ul\sness ( ,m>got1 ! late arrival1   
add+ significantly1 t is1 ( all ( y     
except "o1 = monopoliz+ ! ev5+4  ,:atev]
 might h be5 9 _! m9ds to say1 no "o    
v5tur$ a ^w4 ,k5n$y's tone :5 he said1  
,( all ( y except "o1 0 too t5se &      
s]i\s4 ,x dem&$ att5tion1 & he got x4   
,i am go+ to put to y fir/ a hypo!tical 
case1 he cont9u$ quietly4 ,let u say t !
 ,de ,gu]res ( ,antw]p decid$ to smuggle
 a great jewel into ,am]ica = safe      
keep+1 p]haps = sale1 dur+ ! tr\bl\s    
times 9 _! own c\ntry4  ,n[1 any man    
w\ld "k1 he w5t on1 t he _h a pretty    
slim *ance :5 x came to smuggl+ 9 a     
diamond4 ,besides1 ev]yone knew t ! ,de 
,gu]res own$ ?is p>ticul> /one1 ( :i* ,i
 %all speak lat]4 ,b a woman8 ,smuggl+  
is second nature to "s wom54  ,quickly  
he ran ov] ! /range facts t _h be5      
une>!d reg>d+ ! dea? ( ! da9ty ,russian 

danc]4  ,y 7 "r1 ,monsieur ,de ,gu]re1  
he conclud$1 turn+ to ! diamond m]*ant2 
x 0 no suicide4 ,y\r wife 0             
kill$--un9t5tionally1 x is true1--b     
kill$ 9 an attempt to /eal a great      
diamond f h] :ile %e 0 smuggl+ x4  ,de  
,gu]re made no answ]1 save a ha/y glance
 at ,wade t did n c>ry ) x an admission 
( smuggl+4  ,y mean to say1 !n1 ,mr4    
,k5n$y1 ,m>got dem&$1 t :ile ,raw>uska 0
 smuggl+ 9 ! big diamond ( :i* y speak  
someone he>d ( x & delib]ately murd]$   
h]8  ,n too fa/1 caution$ ,craig4 ,?9k  
aga9 be=e y use ^? words1 'delib]ately  
murd]$4' ,if x _h be5 murd] t 0 int5d$1 
h[ mu* m surely x might h be5 accompli%$
 by m brutal me?ods--or by m sci5tific4 
,no1 murd] 0 nev] delib]ately int5d$4   
,he /opp$1 z if to emphasize ! po9t1 !n 
sl[ly began to di/ribute to ea* ( u "o (
 ! c>bon h&les ,i _h se5 him adju/+ to !
 peculi> little electrical in/rum5t4    
,let me recon/ruct ! case1 he hurri$ on1
 giv+ a f9al twi/ or two to ! in/rum5t  
itself1 n[ plac$ be=e him on a table1 ) 

its dial face away f u4 ,raw>uska _h    
retir$ = ! night4 ,:]e _h %e plac$ !    
diamond8 ,x w\ld probably take a long   
se>* to f9d x4 ,well1 ! twilight sleep 0
 *os5 because x 0 suppos$ to be a safe &
 sure means to ! end4 ,ev5 if %e reta9$ 
"s degree ( consci\sness1 %e w\ld =get  
:at happ5$4 ,t is p>tly ! reason = !    
treatm5t1 anyh[1--! loss ( memory4      
,someone believ$ ?is 0 a safe & sure    
ane/hetic4 ,fir/ p]haps a :iff ( !      
secret s]vice 'bad p]fume' to insure t  
%e w\ld n cry out--!n an injection (    
n>coph9 & scopolam9e--ano!r--& !        
twilight sleep4 ,a few m9utes1 &        
,raw>uska 0 unconsci\s4  ,!n came !     
se>*4 ,p]haps %e 0 re/less4 ,ano!r      
injection settl$ t4 ,at la/ ! great     
diamond 0 f\nd4 ,b ! twilight sleep     
meant n =getfulness b dea? to ,raw>uska6
  ,craig paus$4 ,x 0 almo/ z if "o c\ld 
see ! ^w picture ( ! sc5e z he pa9t$ x4 
,:at 0 to be done8 ,! diamond mu/ be    
recut--any?+ to hide its id5tity1 at    
once1 & at any co/4 ,& ,m>got8 ,! /ory (

 ! ,arkansas diamond & ! sale is a bl9d4
 ,! case is p]fect6  ,k5n$y rais$ 8 eyes
 = ! fir/ "t f ! /udy ( ! little        
electrical ma*9e be=e him1 & caught !   
eye ( ,cecilie1 hold+ x1 unwill+4  ,did 
y ev] he> ( ! great diamond1 !          
,inv9cible8 ,k5n$y sma%$ out4  ,i felt t
 x might n h be5 exactly *ivalr\s1 b x 0
 necess>y4  ,cecilie's brea/1 :i* _h %[$
 a wildly beat+ he>t z ,k5n$y told ( h[ 
h] mi/ress _h di$1 0 calm] n[4 ,h] air (
 surprise at ! m5tion ( ! diamond 0     
p]fect4 ,elsa ,h(fman 0 gaz+ at h]1 too1
 9 t5se int]e/4 ,de ,gu]re 0 outw>dly   
cool1 ,m>got op5ly cynical1 ,pre/on     
lean+ =w>d 9 ill-suppress$ excitem5t4   
,= a mom5t ,k5n$y paus$ aga91 z if all[+
 all to collect !mselves be=e he took !m
 by assault4  ,i h lately be5 /udy+1 he 
rem>k$ casually1 ! exp]im5ts ( ,dr4 ,von
 ,pfung5 ( ,vi5na %[+ ! protective      
resi/ance ( ! human sk9 aga9/ an        
electric curr5t4 ,normally1 ?is         
resi/ance av]ages f sev5ty to eighty    
?\s& ohms4 ,9 ! morn+1 ow+ to !         

accumulation ( wa/e products1 !         
resi/ance may m\nt to almo/ d\ble4 ,9   
p]sons suff]+ f n]v\s anxiety1 x        
decreases to five ?\s& & ev5 d[n to a   
?\s& ohms 9 cases ( hy/]ia4 ,von ,pfung5
 has also measur$ a human be+'s         
emotional feel+s by ! electric curr5t4  
,i h a copy ( 8 in/rum5t "h4 ,!re is "o 
p]son :o sits gripp+ ! c>bon electric   
h&le connect$ ) ?is galvanomet] :o1 to  
beg9 )1 _h a resi/ance ( ov] sixty ?\s&4
 ,b :5 ,i began to tell ( h[ ,raw>uska  
met h] dea?1 ( ! hypo!tical case ,i h   
built up by my obs]vations & exp]im5ts  
"h 9 ?is v laboratory1 ! ne$le ( !      
galvanomet] />t$ to oscillate d[nw>d4 ,x
 w5t d[n until x rea*$ ?irty-eight ?\s& 
at ! m5tion ( murd]4 ,:5 ,i said ! case 
0 p]fect1 x _h got z l[ z "u tw5ty ?\s&1
 sw++ l[] & l[] z ! p]son saw hope      
dep>t6  ,k5n$y 0 no long] pay+ any      
att5tion to ! little in/rum5t4 ,z ,i    
foll[$ him1 ,i became m & m impati5t4   
,:at 0 x he _h discov]$8 ,:o 0 x8       
,pre/on1 cri$ ,k5n$y1 sudd5ly :eel+ on !

 "y doctor1 ?r\gh y\r reg>d--honorable1 
,i am sure--= ,raw>uska y h let y\rself 
be drawn into do+ a little amateur      
detective "w4 ,let me w>n y4 ,in/ead (  
cle>+ up ! case1 y m]ely laid y\rself   
op5 to suspicion4 ,=tunately !          
galvanomet] absolves y4 ,y %\ld h kn[n t
 ,cecilie 0 only a tool4 ,de ,gu]re1 y\r
 black wallet1 t all diamond deal]s     
c>ry--?ank y1 ,wade--t's x4  ,k5n$y _h  
turn$ f ,pre/on to ,cecilie1 !n to ,de  
,gu]re s sudd5ly t no "o 0 prep>$ = !   
signal he gave to ! cu/oms (fic]4  ,wade
 _h cov]$ ! surpris$ deal] & 0 n[ empty+
 out ! cont5ts ( ! wallet4  ,!re1 on !  
table1 gleam+ 9 ! light ( ! laboratory1 
lay a wond]ful brilliant1 "s ?ree hundr$
 c>ats--p]fect 9 its blaz+ cry/all9e    
orange beauty4 ,!re x lay1 a jewel :i*  
might *>m & ar\se ! cupidity ( two      
hemisph]es4 ,x %one l a ?+ ( life4 ,yet 
back ( its orange fire lay a black      
trag$y4  ,m>got 0 on 8 feet in/antly4   
,t is n !--  ,j a mom5t1 ,mr4 ,m>got1   
int]rupt$ ,k5n$y4 ,i ?9k ,mr4 ,wade w be

 able to %[ t x is ! ,inv9cible :5 he   
mat*es up ! p>ts t h be5 hurri$ly cut   
f--f ! wond]ful ,arkansas diamond1      
,craig add$ s>ca/ically4 ,miss ,h(fman1 
,dr4 ,pre/on tells u t be=e y 7 a       
diamond saleswoman y _h be5 a tra9$     
nurse6  ,! look ,elsa ,h(fman fla%$1 z  
h] calm ext]ior refus$ to conceal h]    
emotions long]1 0 v5om\s4  ,k5n$y 0 !   
calme/ "o ( u all z he tapp$ ! little   
galvanomet] significantly ) 8 index f+]4
  ,de ,gu]re1 he exclaim$1 lean+ =w>d   
slightly1 y & y\r lov]1 ,elsa ,h(fman1  
plann$ cunn+ly to rob y\r own bro!rs4   
,b1 in/ead ( robb]s m]ely1 he gr\nd out1
 y are murd]]s6     ,,*apt] ,x  ,,!     
,,six? ,,s5se   ,i suppose y h read 9 ! 
pap]s ( ! my/]i\s burn+ ( our c\ntry    
h\se at ,oceanhur/1 on ! s\? %ore (     
,long ,isl&8  ,x _h be5 ab\t ! middle ( 
! aft]noon t a huge automobile ( ! late/
 design drew up at ,k5n$y's laboratory &
 a /yli%ly dress$ woman1 accompani$ by a
 v att5tive "y man1 alight$4  ,!y _h    
ent]$ & ! man1 ) a deep b[1 pres5t$ two 

c>ds be>+ ! names ( ! ,c\nt & ,c\ntess  
,aless&ro ,rovigno4  ,julia ,rovigno1 ,i
 knew1 0 ! daught] ( ,rog] ,gaskell1 !  
retir$ bank]4 ,%e _h rec5tly m>ri$ ,c\nt
 ,rovigno1 a "y =eign] ^: family _h l>ge
 %ipp+ int]e/s 9 ,am]ica & at ,trie/e 9 
! ,adriatic4  ,yes1 inde$1 ,i h read    
ab\t x1 nodd$ ,craig4  ,y see1 %e hurri$
 on a little n]v\sly1 x 0 a w$d+ pres5t 
to u f my fa!r4  ,giulia1 put 9 ! "y man
 quickly1 giv+ h] "n an acc5t t 0 n1    
h[ev]1 q ,italian1 ?9ks ! fire 0 />t$ by
 an inc5di>y4  ,rovigno 0 a tall1 r     
boyi%-look+ man ( ?irty-two or          
?irty-?ree1 ) light br[n hair1 light    
br[n be>d & mu/a*e4 ,8 eyes & =ehead    
spoke ( intellig5ce1 b ,i _h nev] he>d t
 he c>$ mu* ab\t practical bus9ess      
affairs4 ,9 fact1 to ,am]ican society   
,rovigno 0 kn[n *iefly z "o ( ! mo/ d>+ 
( motor-boat en?usia/s4  ,x may h be5 ! 
"w ( an inc5di>y1 he cont9u$ ?\ghtfully1
 or x may n4 ,i don't "k4 ,b !re has be5
 an epidemic ( fires among ! l>ge h\ses 
out on ,long ,isl& lately4  ,i nodd$ to 

,k5n$y1 = ,i _h myself compil$ a li/ = !
 ,/>1 :i* %[$ t consid]ably ov] a       
million doll>s' wor? ( %[ places _h be5 
de/roy$4  ,at any rate1 add$ ! ,c\ntess1
 we are burn$ out1 & are /ay+ 9 t[n     
n[--at my fa!r's h\se4 ,i wi% y w\ld    
come ar\nd !re4 ,p]haps fa!r c help y4  
,he kn[s all ab\t ! c\ntry out t way1 = 
8 own place isn't a qu>t] ( a mile away4
  ,i %all be glad to drop ar\nd1 if ,i c
 be ( any assi/ance1 agre$ ,k5n$y z ! "y
 c\ple left u4  ,! ,rovignos _h sc>cely 
gone :5 a woman appe>$ at ! laboratory  
door4 ,%e 0 well dress$1 pretty1 b look$
 pale & hagg>d4  ,my "n is ,mrs4 ,bett9a
 ,petzka1 %e began1 s+l+ out ,k5n$y4 ,y 
d n "k me1 b my husb&1 ,nikola1 0 "o ( !
 fir/ /ud5ts y taught1 ,pr(essor4  ,yes1
 yes1 ,i recall him v well1 repli$      
,craig4 ,he 0 a brilliant /ud5t1 too--v 
promis+4 ,:at c ,i d = y8  ,:y1         
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 %e cri$1 no long] able
 to control h] feel+s1 he has sudd5ly   
disappe>$4  ,:at l9e ( "w _h he tak5 up8
 ask$ ,craig1 int]e/$4  ,he 0 a wireless

 op]ator--_h be5 employ$ on a l9] t runs
 to ! ,adriatic f ,new ,york4 ,b he 0   
out ( "w4 ,someone has told me t he     
?\ght he saw ,nikola 9 ,hobok5 ar\nd !  
docks :]e a numb] ( ! l9]s t g to       
blockad$ ports are laid up wait+ ! end (
 ! w>4  ,%e paus$4  ,i see1 rem>k$      
,k5n$y1 purs+ up 8 lips ?\ghtfully4 ,y\r
 husb& 0 n a res]vi/ ( any ( ! c\ntries 
at w>1 0 he8  ,no--he 0 fir/ ( all a    
sci5ti/4 ,i don't ?9k he _h any int]e/ 9
 ! w>--at lea/ he nev] talk$ mu* ab\t x4
  ,i "k1 p]si/$ ,craig1 b _h he tak5 out
 8 naturalization pap]s "h8  ,he _h     
appli$ = !m4  ,:5 did he disappe>8  ,i  
hav5't se5 him = two nights1 %e sobb$4  
,x fla%$ ov] me t x 0 n[ two nights s9ce
 ! fire t _h burn$ ,rovigno's h\se1     
al?\gh !re 0 no reason = connect+ !     
ev5ts1 at lea/ yet4  ,! "y woman 0      
pla9ly wild ) anxiety4 ,oh1 c't y help  
me f9d ,nikola8 %e plead$4  ,i'll try my
 be/1 reassur$ ,k5n$y1 tak+ d[n on a c>d
 h] address & b[+ h] out4  ,x 0 late 9 !
 aft]noon be=e we _h an opportunity to  

call at ! ,gaskell t[n h\se :]e !       
,rovignos 7 /ay+4 ,! ,c\nt 0 n at home1 
b ! ,c\ntess welcom$ u & l$ u directly  
into a l>ge libr>y4  ,i'd l to h y meet 
my fa!r1 %e introduc$4 ,fa!r1 ?is is    
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 :om ,alex & ,i h      
engag$ to look into ! burn+ ( our h\se4 
,old ,rog] ,gaskell receiv$ u1 ,i ?\ght1
 ) a curi\s mixture ( re/ra9t &         
eag]ness4  ,i hope y'll excuse me8 ask$ 
! ,c\ntess a mom5t lat]4 ,i really mu/  
dress = d9n]4 ,b ,i ?9k ,i've told y all
 ,i c4 ,i want$ y to talk to my fa!r4   
,i've he>d ( ! epidemic ( fires f my    
fri5d ,mr4 ,jameson "h1 on ! ,/>1 rem>k$
 ,k5n$y :5 we 7 alone4 ,"s1 ,i und]/&1 h
 attribut$ ! fires to inc5di>ies1 o!rs h
 said !y 7 ! "w ( disgruntl$ s]vants1   
o!rs ( an ar*itect or contractor :o     
hasn't %>$ 9 ! "w & ?9ks he may lat]4   
,i've ev5 he>d x said t an insurance man
 may be responsible--hop+ to get new    
bus9ess1 y "k4  ,gaskell look$ at u     
ke5ly4 ,!n he rose & approa*$ u1 rais+ 8
 f+] z ?\gh caution+ sil5ce4  ,d y "k1  

he :isp]$ s fa9tly t x 0 almo/ lo/1     
sometimes ,i ?9k !re is a plot aga9/ me8
  ,aga9/ y8 :isp]$ back ,k5n$y4 ,:y1 :at
 d y mean8  ,i c't tell y--"h1 he       
repli$4 ,b1 ,i believe !re are          
detectaphones hidd5 ab\t ?is h\se6  ,h y
 se>*$8 ask$ ,k5n$y ke5ly4  ,yes1 b     
,i've f\nd no?+4 ,i've gone ov] all !   
furniture & su* ?+s4 ,/ill1 !y might be 
inside ! walls1 mightn't !y8  ,k5n$y    
nodd$4  ,c\ld y discov] !m if !y 78 ask$
 ,gaskell4  ,i ?9k ,i c\ld1 repli$      
,craig confid5tly4  ,!n !re's ano!r     
peculi> ?+1 resum$ ,gaskell1 a little m 
freely1 yet /ill :isp]+4 ,i suppose y "k
 t ,i h a c\ntry e/ate n f> f my        
daught]8  ,he paus$4 ,( c\rse ,i "k1 he 
w5t on1 wat*+ ,k5n$y's face1 t sp>ks are
 sometimes /ruck by horses' %oes :5 !y  
hit /ones4 ,b ! %oes ( my horses1 =     
in/ance1 out !re lately h be5 giv+ =?   
sp>ks ev5 9 ! /able4 ,my groom call$ my 
att5tion to x1 & ,i saw x myself4  ,he  
cont9u$ look+ se>*+ly at ,k5n$y4 ,y are 
a sci5ti/1 he said at l5g?4 ,c y tell me

 :y8  ,k5n$y 0 ?9k+ deeply4 ,i c't1     
(fh&1 he repli$ frankly4 ,b ,i %\ld l to
 h a *ance to inve/igate4  ,!re may be  
"s connection ) ! fire1 h9t$ ,gaskell   
anxi\sly z he accompani$ u to ! door4   
,at our own ap>tm5t1 :5 we return$1 we  
f\nd our fri5d1 ,burke1 ( ! ,secret     
,s]vice1 wait+ = u4  ,j _h a hurry call 
to come to ,new ,york1 he expla9$1 &    
?\ght ,i'd l to drop 9 on y fir/4       
,:at's ! tr\ble8 ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,:y1     
!re's be5 a my/]i\s ya*t lurk+ ab\t !   
m\? ( ! h>bor = sev]al days & !y want to
 look into x4  ,^: ya*t d !y ?9k x is8  
,!y don't "k1 b x is said to resemble "o
 t belongs to a man nam$ ,gaskell4      
,gaskell8 repeat$ ,craig1 turn+ sudd5ly4
  ,yes1--! ,furi\s--a fa/1 float+       
palace--"o ( ^! new p[] ya*ts1 run by a 
gas eng9e--built = spe$4 ,:y1 d y "k    
any?+ ab\t x8  ,k5n$y said no?+4  ,!    
rev5ue cutt] ,uncas has be5 assign$ to  
me1 w5t on ,burke4 ,if y h no?+ bett] to
 d1 ,i'd l to h y give me a h& 9 ! case4
 ,y might f9d x a little diff]5t f !    

ord9>y run4  ,i %all be glad to g ) y1  
repli$ ,craig cordially4 ,only1 j n[    
,i've got a p>ticul> case ( my own4     
,i'll see y tomorr[ at ! ,cu/oms ,h\se1 
?\gh1 if ,i c4  ,good6 exclaim$ ,burke4 
,i don't ?9k ei!r ( y1 p>ticul>ly       
,jameson1 w regret x4 ,x promises to be 
a good /ory4  ,burke _h sc>cely left u  
:5 ,k5n$y decid$ on 8 next move4 ,we w5t
 directly ov] to ! ,long ,isl& ,railroad
 /ation & caught ! next tra9 out to     
,oceanhur/1 n a long run f ! city4      
,?us1 e>ly 9 ! ev5+1 ,k5n$y 0 able to   
beg91 "u cov]1 8 inve/igation ( !       
neighborhood ( ! ,rovigno & ,gaskell    
h\ses4  ,we ent]$ ! ,gaskell e/ate &    
look$ x ov] z we made our way t[>d !    
/able to f9d ! groom4 ,out on ! bay we  
c\ld see ! ,furi\s at an*or4 ,ne>] 9    
%ore 7 a c\ple ( ,c\nt ,rovigno's spe$y 
rac+ motor-boats4 ,along ! %ore1 we saw 
a bas9 = ya*ts1 capable ev5 ( hold+ !   
,furi\s4  ,! groom prov$ to be a r      
dull-witt$ fell[1 & left u pretty mu* to
 our own devices4  ,ya-z--sp>ks--,i saw 

'em1 he drawl$ 9 answ] to ,k5n$y's "q4  
,s did ,mr4 ,gaskell4 ,naw--,i don't "k 
naw?9' ab\t 'em4  ,he _h lumb]$ out into
 ano!r "p ( ! /able :5 ,i he>d a l[     
exclamation f ,craig1 ( ,look1 ,walt]6  
,i did look 9 amazem5t4 ,!re 7 inde$    
little sp>ks1 9 fact a small bur/ ( !m 9
 all directions1 :]e !re 7 metal        
surfaces 9 close proximity to "o ano!r4 
,k5n$y _h br\ght along ) him a /range   
in/rum5t & he 0 n[ look+ att5tively at  
x4  ,:at is t8 ,i ask$4  ,! bolomet]1 he
 repli$1 inv5t$ by ,pr(essor ,langley4  
,& :at does x d8  ,detects waves1 he    
repli$1 rays t are invisible to ! eye4  
,= in/ance1 j n[ x tells me t %oot+     
?r\gh ! d>kness are invisible waves1    
p]haps infra-r$ rays4  ,he paus$1 & ,i  
look$ at him inquir+ly4  ,y "k1 he      
expla9$1 ! infra-r$ rays are clos] to ! 
heat rays ?an ^? ( ! upp] end ( !       
spectrum & beyond1 ! ultra-violet rays1 
) :i* we h already _h "s exp]i5ce4      
,k5n$y cont9u$ to look at 8 bolomet]4   
,yes1 he rem>k$ ?\ghtfully1 half to     

himself1 some:]e ar\nd "h !re is a      
g5]ator ( infra-r$ rays & a projector ( 
^? rays4 ,x rem9ds me ( ^? s-call$      
,f-rays ( ,ulivi--or at lea/ ( a v      
p[]ful wireless4  ,i 0 />tl$ at !       
speculations t 8 words conjur$ up 9 my  
m9d4 ,0 ! evil eye ( sup]/ition a       
sci5tific fact8 ,0 !re a baneful beam t 
c\ld be direct$ at w--"o t c\ld n be se5
 or felt until x work$ its havoc8 ,0 !re
 a p[] t /eel walls c\ld n hold1 :i*1 9 
fact1 0 ! m surely transmitt$ by !m8    
,someh[1 ! fact ( ! /range disappe>ance 
( ,petzka1 ! wireless op]ator1 kept     
bobb+ up 9 my m9d4 ,i c\ld n help wond]+
 :e!r1 p]haps1 he _h f\nd ?is /range p[]
 & 0 us+ x = "s nef>i\s purpose4 ,c\ld x
 h be5 ,petzka :o 0 responsible = !     
fires8 ,b1 :y8 ,i c\ld n figure x out4  
,e>ly ! next morn+ we call$ at !        
,gaskell t[n h\se aga94 ,k5n$y _h br\ght
 ) him a small piece ( app>atus :i*     
seem$ to consi/ ( two sets ( coils plac$
 on ends ( a magnet b>4 ,to !m 0 atta*$ 
a long flexible wire :i* he screw$ into 

an electric light bulb socket4 ,!n he   
plac$ a peculi> telephone-l app>atus1   
atta*$ to ! o!r end1 to 8 e>s4 ,he      
adju/$ ! magnets & c>ri$ ! ?+ c>efully  
ab\t ! room4  ,at "o po9t he /opp$ &    
mov$ ! ?+ v]tically up along ! wall1 f  
floor to ceil+4  ,t's a gas pipe1 he    
said simply4  ,:at's ! in/rum5t8 ,i     
ask$4  ,a new app>atus = f9d+ pipes     
electrically1 :i* ,i ?9k c be j z well  
appli$ to f9d+ o!r ?+s conceal$ 9 walls 
"u pla/] & pap]4  ,he paus$ to adju/ !  
?+4 ,! electrical me?od1 he w5t on1 is a
 special application ( well-kn[n        
induction balance pr9ciples4 ,y see "o  
set ( coils receives an alt]nat+ or     
vibrat+ curr5t4 ,! o!r is connect$ ) ?is
 telephone4 ,fir/ ,i e/abli%$ a balance 
s t !re 0 no s\nd 9 ! telephone4  ,he   
mov$ ! ?+ ab\t4 ,n[1 :5 ! device comes  
ne> metal-pip+1 = example1 or a wire1 ! 
balance is di/urb$ & ,i he> a s\nd4 ,t 0
 ! gas pipe4 ,x is easy to f9d its exact
 location4 ,hulloa--  ,he paus$ aga9 9 a
 corn]1 back ( ,gaskell's desk & appe>$ 

to be li/5+ int5tly4  ,a mom5t lat] he 0
 ru?lessly break+ ?r\gh ! pla/] ( !     
beautifully decorat$ wall4  ,sure en\gh1
 9 !re 0 a detectaphone1 conceal$ only a
 fraction ( an in* b5ea? ! pap]1 ) wires
 lead+ d[n inside ! p>tition 9 !        
direction ( ! cell>4     ,,*apt] ,,xi   
,,! ,,inf]nal ,,ma*9es   ,he ripp$ !    
little me*anical eavesdropp] out1 wires 
& all1 b he did n disconnect ! wires1   
yet4  ,we trac$ x out1 & d[n into !     
cell> ! wires l$1 directly1 & !n across1
 ?r\gh a small op5+ 9 ! f\ndations into 
! next cell> ( an ap>tm5t h\se1 end+ 9 a
 b9 or /or]oom4  ,9 itself ! ?+1 s f>1  
gave no clew z to :o 0 us+ x or !       
purpose = :i* x _h be5 in/all$4 ,b x 0  
/range4  ,someone 0 evid5tly try+ to get
 some?+ f y1 ,mr4 ,gaskell1 rem>k$      
,craig po9t$ly1 aft] we return$ to !    
,gaskell libr>y4 ,:y d y suppose he w5t 
to all t tr\ble8  ,gaskell %rugg$ 8     
%\ld]s & av]t$ 8 eyes4  ,i've he>d ( a  
ya*t outside ,new ,york h>bor1 add$     
,craig casually4  ,a ya*t8  ,yes1 he    

said non*alantly1 ! ,furi\s4  ,gaskell  
met ,k5n$y's eye & look$ at him z ?\gh  
,craig _h "s occult p[] ( div9ation4 ,!n
 he mov$ ov] clos] to u4  ,is t         
detectaphone ?+ out ( bus9ess n[8 he    
ask$1 ho>sely4  ,yes4  ,absolutely8     
,absolutely4  ,gaskell lean$ ov]4  ,!n  
,i don't m9d tell+ y1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 
he said 9 a l[ tone1 t ,i am lett+ a    
fri5d ( m9e f ,london use t ya*t to     
supply "s alli$ w>%ips on ! ,atlantic ) 
news1 supplies & ammunition1 su* z c be 
c>ri$4  ,k5n$y look$ at him ke5ly1 b =  
"s mom5ts did n answ]4 ,i knew he 0     
debat+ on h[ he might prop]ly dove-tail 
?is ) ,burke's case1 e?ically4  ,someone
 is try+ to f9d out f eavesdropp+ j :at 
y\r plans are1 !n1 rem>k$ ,craig        
?\ghtfully1 ) a significant tap on !    
detectaphone4  ,a mom5t lat] he turn$ 8 
back to u & knelt d[n4 ,he seem$ to be  
wrapp+ ! detectaphone up 9 a small      
package :i* he put 9 8 pocket & clos+ ! 
hole 9 ! wall z be/ he c\ld :]e he _h   
ripp$ ! pap]4  ,all ,i ask ( y1 conclud$

 ,gaskell1 z we left a few m9utes lat]1 
is to keep y\r h&s (f t phase ( ?+s4    
,f9d ! inc5di>y--yes2 b ?is o!r matt] t 
y h =c$ out ( me--well--h&s (f6  ,on our
 way d[nt[n to keep ! appo9tm5t ,k5n$y  
_h made ) ,burke ! night be=e1 he /opp$ 
at ! laboratory to get a heavy p>cel :i*
 he c>ri$ along4  ,we f\nd ,burke wait+ 
= u1 impati5tly1 at ! ,cu/oms ,h\se4    
,we've j discov]$ t ! l9]s ov] at       
,hobok5 h _h /eam up = a c\ple ( days1  
he said excit$ly4 ,evid5tly !y are wait+
 to make a break = ! ocean--p]haps 9    
conc]t ) a sortie ( ! fleets ov] 9      
,europe4  ,h-m1 mus$ ,k5n$y1 look+      
fix$ly at ,burke1 t complicates matt]s1 
doesn't x8 ,we mu/ pres]ve ,am]ican     
neutrality4  ,he ?\ght a mom5t4 ,i %\ld 
l to g abo>d ! rev5ue cutt]4 ,may ,i8   
,surely1 agre$ ,burke4  ,a few mom5ts   
lat] we 7 on ! ,uncas1 ,k5n$y & ,burke 9
 e>ne/ conv]sation 9 l[ tones :i* ,i did
 n ov]he>4 ,evid5tly ,craig 0 tell+ him 
j en\gh ( :at he _h himself discov]$ s z
 to enli/ ,burke's s]vices4  ,! capta9 9

 *>ge ( ! ,uncas jo9$ ! conv]sation a   
few mom5ts lat]1 & !n ,k5n$y took !     
heavy package d[n bel[4 ,= "s "t he 0 at
 "w 9 "o ( ! =w>d tanks t 0 full ( wat]1
 atta*+ ! ?+1 :atev] x 01 9 su* a way t 
x seem$ to =m "p ( ! sk9 ( ! %ip4       
,ano!r brief talk ) ,burke & ! capta9   
foll[$1 & !n ! ?ree return$ to ! deck4  
,oh1 by ! way1 rem>k$ ,burke1 z he &    
,k5n$y came back to me1 ,i =got to tell 
y t ,i h _h "s ( my m5 work+ on ! case &
 "o ( !m has j le>n$ t a fell[ nam$     
,petzka1 "o ( ! be/ wireless            
op]ators1--a ,hung>ian or some?+--has   
be5 engag$ to g on t ya*t4  ,petzka8 ,i 
repeat$ involunt>ily4  ,yes1 said       
,burke1 9 surprise1 d y "k any?+ ab\t   
him8  ,i turn$ to ,k5n$y4  ,n mu*1      
repli$ ,craig4 ,b y c f9d out ab\t him1 
,i ?9k1 ?r\gh 8 wife4 ,he us$ to be "o (
 my /ud5ts4 ,"h's h] address4 ,%e's v   
anxi\s to he> f him4 ,i'm sure t if y h 
any news %e w be only too glad to       
receive x4  ,burke took ! address & a   
little :ile lat] we w5t a%ore4  ,i 0 n  

surpris$ :5 ,k5n$y propos$1 z ! next    
move1 to revisit ! cell> 9 ! ap>tm5t    
next to ,gaskell's h\se4 ,b ,i 0        
surpris$ at :at he said1 aft] we _h     
rea*$ ! place4  ,all along ,i _h suppos$
 t he 0 plann+ to wait !re 9 hope (     
cat*+ ! p]son :o _h in/all$ !           
detectaphone4 ,t1 ( c\rse1 0 a          
possibility1 /ill4 ,b 9 reality he _h   
ano!r purpose1 also4  ,we _h sc>cely    
secret$ ourselves 9 ! cell> /or]oom1 :i*
 0 9 a d>k corn] :]e "o might rema9     
unobs]v$ ev5 if ! janitor ent]$ ! cell>1
 provid$ he did n se>* t "p1 :5 ,k5n$y  
took ! receiv+ headpiece ( !            
detectaphone & plac$ x ov] 8 head1 q z  
if no?+ _h happ5$4  ,:at's ! use ( t8 ,i
 qu]i$4 ,y ripp$ ! transmitt] out up    
above4  ,he smil$ quietly4 ,:ile my back
 0 turn$ t[>d y1 s t y c\ldn't see1 he  
said1 ,i slipp$ ! ?+ back aga91 only d[n
 fur!r :]e ,gaskell w\ldn't be likely to
 f9d x1 ev5 if he look$4 ,i don't "k    
:e!r he 0 frank ) u1 s ,i ?\ght ,i'd try
 ! eavesdropp+ game myself1 9 place ( ! 

man :o put ?is ?+ 9 9 ! fir/ place1     
:oev] he 04  ,we took turns li/5+1 b    
c\ld he> n a s\nd4 ,nor did anyone come 
into ! cell>4  ,s a good "p ( ! aft]noon
 pass$1 app>5tly fruitless4  ,my pati5ce
 0 ?or\ghly exhau/$ :51 sudd5ly1 a      
motion f ,craig reviv$ my flagg+ int]e/4
 ,i wait$ impati5tly = him to tell me   
:at x 0 t he he>d4  ,:at 0 x8 ,i ask$   
f9ally z he pull$ ! receiv]s (f 8 head &
 /ood = a mom5t1 consid]+4  ,at fir/ ,i 
he>d ! s\nd ( voices1 he answ]$ quickly4
 ,"o 0 ! voice ( a woman1 :i* ,i        
recogniz$4 ,x 0 ! ,c\ntess4 ,! o!r 0 !  
,c\nt4  ',giulia1' ,i he>d him say1 z !y
 ent]$ ! room1 ',i don't see :y y %\ld  
want to g4 ,x's dang]\s4 ,& besides1 x's
 none ( our bus9ess if y\r fa!r lets 8  
ya*t be us$ = su* a purpose4'  ',b ,i   
want to g1 ,alex1' %e said4 ',i w g4    
,i'm a good sailor4 ,x's fa!r's ya*t4   
,he won't c>e4'  ',b :at's ! use8' he   
expo/ulat$4 ',besides--?9k ( ! dang]4   
,if x 0 our bus9ess1 x might be         
diff]5t4'  ',i %\ld ?9k y'd want to g4' 

',n ,i4 ,i c get all ! excitem5t ,i want
 9 a motor-boat race )\t risk+ my       
preci\s neck pull+ ! *e/nuts out ( !    
fire = someone else4'  ',well1 ,i want !
 adv5ture1' %e p]si/$1 petulantly4  ',b1
 ,giulia1 if y g tonight1 ?9k ( !       
risk--'  ,t 0 ! la/ ,i he>d z !y left ! 
room1 /ill argu+4 ,evid5tly1 someone is 
go+ to pull (f some?+ tonight4  ,x did n
 take ,k5n$y long to make up 8 m9d :at  
to d next4 ,he left ! cell> hurri$ly & 9
 ! laboratory ha/ily fix$ up a second   
heavy & bulky package simil> to t :i* he
 _h tak5 d[n to ! rev5ue cutt] e>li] 9 !
 day1 mak+ x into two p>cels s z to     
di/ribute ! burd5 betwe5 u4  ,t night we
 j\rney$ out to ,oceanhur/ aga94 ,avoid+
 ! regul> road1 we made our way f !     
/ation to ! ,gaskell place by a r\ndab\t
 pa? & x 0 q d>k by ! "t we got !re4  ,z
 we approa*$ ! bas9 we saw t !re 7      
sev]al m5 ab\t4 ,!y appe>$ to be on     
gu>d1 b s9ce ,oceanhur/ at t season ( ! 
ye> 0 pretty des]t$ & ! ,gaskell e/ate 0
 out ( ! t[n1 !y 7 n especially         

vigilant4  ,d>k & grim1 ) only "o light 
%[+ weakly1 lay ! ya*t1 hav+ be5 run    
into ! bas91 n[4 ,a haws] _h be5 /ret*$ 
across ! m\? ( ! bas94 ,outside 0 a     
little t5d]1 :ile a se>*light 0 play+   
ov] ! wat] all ! "t4 ,evid5tly :atev]   
int]f]5ce 0 fe>$ 0 expect$ f ! wat] r   
?an f ! l&4  ,we slunk into ! %ad[ ( a  
r[ ( ba?-h\ses1 9 ord] to get our be>+s4
 ,on ! opposite side f ! road t l$ d[n f
 ! h\se1 x 0 n s likely t anyone w\ld   
suspect t int]lop]s 7 hid+ !re4  ,/ill1 
!y 7 n neglect+ t side ( ! bas91 at lea/
 9 a p]functory sort ( way4  ,k5n$y drew
 me back into ! %ad[1 deep]1 at ! s\nd (
 foot/eps on ! bo>dwalk lead+ 9 front ( 
! ba?-h\ses4  ,f our hid+ place we c\ld 
n[ he> two voices1 app>5tly ( sailors4  
,d y "k ! new wireless op]ator :o goes )
 u tonight8 ask$ "o4  ,no4 ,!y've be5 v 
c>eful ( him4 ,i guess !y 7 afraid t    
someone might get wise4 ,b !re c\ldn't v
 well be any leak1 !re4 ,"o ( ^?        
,engli%m5 has be5 ) him e m9ute s9ce he 
0 engag$4  ,!y say he's pretty good4 ,:o

 is he8  ,a ,s]vian1 he says1 & 8 "n    
s\nds z if x might be s4  ,! voices     
trail$ (f4 ,x 0 only a scrap (          
conv]sation1 b ,k5n$y _h n miss$ a ^w ( 
x4  ,t means ,petzka1 he nodd$ to me4   
,:at is he--a ,hung>ian or a ,s]vian8 ,i
 ask$ quickly4  ,k5n$y _h cran$ 8 neck  
out beyond ! corn] ( ! ba?-h\ses & 0    
look+ at ! ,furi\s 9 ! bas94  ,come on1 
,walt]1 he :isp]$1 n tak+ "t to answ] my
 "q4 ,^? fell[s h gone4 ,!re's no "o at 
all on ?is side ( ! bas9 & ,i j saw ! m5
 on deck g up ! gangplank to !          
boat-h\se4 ,!y c't d any m ?an put u (f1
 anyh[4  ,he _h wat*$ 8 *ance well4 ,z  
quickly z we c\ld1 burd5$ d[n by our two
 heavy packages1 we manag$ to slip      
across ! bo>dwalk to ! pil+ t =m$ t side
 ( ! bas94 ,! ,furi\s _h swung ov] ) !  
tide ne>] our side ?an ! o!r4 ,x 0 a d>+
 leap1 b he made x z lightly z a cat1   
l&+ on ! deck4 ,i pass$ ov] ! packages  
to him & foll[$4  ,k5n$y sc>cely paus$  
to glance ab\t4 ,he _h *os5 a mom5t :5  
no "o 0 look+1 &1 b5d+ d[n "u ! weight (

 ! packages we dodg$ back ( a cab94 ,a  
dim light %9+ into ! hold told u t no "o
 0 !re & we div$ d[n4 ,x 0 ! "w ( a     
mom5t to secrete ourselves 9 ! blank    
d>kness beh9d a pile ( boxes1 aft4  ,a  
noise />tl$ u4 ,someone 0 com+ d[n !    
/eep1 ladd]-l /airs4 ,a mom5t lat] we   
he>d ano!r noise4 ,!re 7 two ( !m1 mov+ 
ab\t among ! boxes4 ,f our hid+ place we
 c\ld ov]he> !m talk+ 9 ho>se :isp]s1 b 
c\ld n see !m4  ,:]e did y put !m8 ask$ 
a voice4  ,9 e package ( explosives & 9 
z _m ( ! boxes ( cann$ goods z ,i _h "t4
 ,!re wasn't mu* opportunity except :ile
 ! /uff 0 9 ! boat-h\se4  ,i look$ at   
,k5n$y1 wild-ey$4 ,0 !re trea*]y 9 !    
crew8 ,he 0 lean+ =w>d z mu* z our      
cramp$ qu>t]s w\ld p]mit1 s z n to miss 
a ^w4  ,all "r1 said ! o!r voice4 ,no "o
 suspects8  ,no4 ,b ! ,secret ,s]vice   
has be5 pretty busy4 ,!y suspect        
some?+--b n ?is4  ,good4 ,y are sure t y
 c detonate !m :5 ! "t comes8           
,positive4 ,ev]y?+ is work+ f9e4 ,i've  
done my "p ( x4 ,*ang+ wireless op]ators

 gave me j ! *ance ,i want$4  ,all "r4  
,i guess ,i'll g n[4  ,rememb] ! signal4
 ,z soon z ! ?+s are detonat$ ,i w get  
(f1 "s way1 by wireless ! ,s ,o ,s--z if
 x came f ! fleet1 y und]/&8  ,yes--t w 
be ! signal = ! da%4 ,good luck--,i'm   
go+ a%ore n[4  ,z !y pass$ up ! ladd]1  
,i c\ld no long] re/ra9 myself4  ,craig1
 ,i cri$1 ?is is devili%6  ,i ?\ght ,i  
saw x all n[4 ,9 ! cases ( goods on !   
,furi\s 7 "s t]rible inf]nal ma*9es :i* 
_h be5 hidd51 to be detonat$ by ^!      
deadly rays ( wireless4  ,k5n$y 0 busy1 
work+ quickly putt+ toge!r ! p>ts he _h 
tak5 f ! two packages we _h c>ri$4  ,z  
,i wat*$ him1 ,i realiz$ t ! burn+ ( !  
,rovigno h\se 0 n ! action ( an         
inc5di>y1 aft] all4 ,x _h be5 done by ^!
 deadly rays1 probably by m]e accid5t4  
,z ne>ly z ,i c\ld make x out1 !re 0 a  
c\nt]plot aga9/ ! ,furi\s4 ,some:]e 0 an
 inf]nal work%op1 possibly h$g$ ab\t by 
doors ( /eel :i* ord9>y =ce w\ld f9d h>d
 to p5etrate1 b f :i*1 any mom5t1 ?is   
sup]-crim9al might s5d out 8 deadly p[]4

  ,! m ,i consid]$ x1 :ile ,k5n$y work$1
 ! m uncanny x seem$4 ,?is man _h r5d]$ 
! m]e possession ( explosives m dang]\s 
to ! possessor ?an to ! enemy4          
,ar*im$es _h be5 outdone6  ,! problem   
be=e u n[ 0 n only ! pres]vation (      
,am]ican neutrality1 b ! actual safety (
 life4  ,?r\gh ! op5 hat* ,i c\ld n[ he>
 voices on ! deck4 ,"o 0 t ( a woman1   
:i* ,i recogniz$ quickly4 ,x 0 ,julia   
,rovigno4  ,i'll be j z quiet z a m\se1 
%e 0 say+4 ,i'll /ay 9 ! cab9--,i won't 
be 9 ! way4  ,i c\ld n he> ! man's voice
 9 reply1 b x did n s\nd l ,rovigno's4  
,x 0 r l ,gaskell's4  ,/ill1 we _h he>d 
en\gh to "k t ,julia ,rovigno 0 on !    
ya*t1 _h insi/$ on go+ on ! exp$ition = 
! excitem5t ( ! ?+1 j z we _h he>d ov] !
 detectaphone4  ,hadn't we bett] w>n h]8
 ,i ask$ ,craig1 :o _h paus$ 9 8 "w at !
 s\nd ( voices4  ,be=e he c\ld answ] we 
7 plung$ 9 sudd5 d>kness4 ,someone _h   
swit*$ out ! light t _h be5 %9+ d[n     
?r\gh ! hat*way4 ,be=e we knew x ! op5+ 
to ! hat*way _h be5 clos$4     ,,*apt]  

,,xii  ,,! ,,subm>9e ,,bell   ,k5n$y    
grop$ ab\t = a light1 /umbl+ ov] boxes &
 bags4  ,= heav5's sake1 ,craig1 ,i     
entreat$4 ,be c>eful4 ,^? packages are  
full ( ! devili% ?+s6  ,he said no?+4   
,at lea/ we _h a little m fre$om to move
 & ,i manag$ to f9d my way ov] to a     
little r\nd por?ole & op5 x4  ,z ,i     
look$ out1 ,i almo/ fa9t$ at !          
realization4 ,! ,furi\s 0 "u way6 ,we 7 
lock$ 9 ! hold--virtual prison]s--our   
only company ^? da/>dly inf]nal ma*9es1 
^: v nature we did n "k6  ,helplessly ,i
 gaz$ ar\nd me4 ,!re seem$ to be only   
?is "o por?ole1 op51 look+ out ov] ! d>k
 & turbul5t wat]1 :i* slipp$ om9\sly pa/
 z we ga9$ spe$4  ,:y _h ,k5n$y n =ese5 
?is risk8 ,i glanc$ at him4 ,he _h f\nd 
an electric light1 connect$ ) ! ya*t's  
dynamo1 &1 be=e turn+ x on1 clos$ &     
cov]$ ! port s t x ?rew no reflection   
out4  ,f> f be+ disconc]t$1 on !        
contr>y1 he seem$ r pleas$ ?an o!rwise  
at ! unexpect$ turn ( ev5ts4  ,z ,i     
look$ at our scant & cramp$ qu>t]s ,i   

c\ld see absolutely no way ( gett+ ^w to
 anyone (f ! ,furi\s :o might help u4   
,:at he 0 work+ on ,i did n "k1 b if x 0
 "s sort ( wireless1 ev5 if we 7 able to
 s5d a message1 :at hope 0 !re t x w\ld 
get pa/ ! delicate wireless detector :i*
 ?is crim9al mu/ h some:]e ne> = tapp+  
messages t 7 be+ fla%$ ?r\gh ! air8 ,_h 
we n he>d him say t ! signal 0 to be an 
,s ,o ,s s5t1 z x 71 f ! fleet f> out on
 ! ocean8  ,i c\ld well h believ$ t     
,k5n$y c\ld rig up "s means (           
communication4 ,b1 if ! possessor ( ?is 
t]rible infra-r$ ray1 or wireless wave1 
secret %\ld le>n t we1 too1 knew x1 !   
only result t he w\ld accompli% w\ld be 
to insure our de/ruction imm$iately4  ,x
 0 a foggy night & a drizzle _h set 94  
,! ,furi\s c\ld n "u su* circum/ances   
make su* good spe$ z %e 0 accu/om$ to   
make4 ,=tunately1 also1 ! waves 7 n     
runn+ high4  ,craig _h tak5 a desp]ate  
*ance4 ,h[ w\ld he meet x8 ,i wat*$ him 
at "w1 fasc9at$ by our p]il4  ,f9i%+ z  
quickly z he c\ld1 he put out our sole  

electric light1 unscrew$ ! bulb & atta*$
 to ! socket a wire :i* he _h connect$ )
 ! in/rum5t ov] :i* he _h sp5t s _m     
preci\s mom5ts4  ,?r\gh ! little por?ole
 he ca/ a peculi> disk1 heavy1 su* z ,i 
_h se5 him place s c>efully abo>d !     
,uncas4  ,x sank 9 ! wat] ) a spla% &   
trail$ along beside ! ya*t1 held by a   
wire1 subm]g$1 p]haps1 t5 or twelve     
feet4  ,he made a f9al inspection ( ! ?+
 z well z he c\ld by ! light ( a mat*1  
!n press$ a key :i* seem$ to close a    
circuit4  ,i c\ld feel a dull1 metallic 
vibration1 z x 74  ,:at are y do+8 ,i   
ask$1 look+ curi\sly also at an         
arrangem5t1 l a microphone1 :i* he _h   
plac$ ov] 8 e>s4  ,x works6 he cri$     
excit$ly4  ,:at works8 ,i reit]at$4     
,?is ,fess5d5 oscillator1 he expla9$4   
,x's a sy/em = ! employm5t ( s\nd =     
subm>9e signals4 ,i don't "k :e!r y     
realize x1 b great advance has be5 made 
rec5tly s9ce x 0 sugge/$ to use wat]    
in/ead ( air z ! m$ium = transmitt+     
signals4 ,i c't /op to expla9 ?is       

app>atus j n[1 b x is compos$ ( a r+    
magnet1 a copp] tube :i* lies 9 an air  
gap ( a magnetic field1 & a /ation>y    
c5tral armature4 ,! magnetic field is   
mu* /rong] ?an t 9 ! ord9>y dynamo4  ,! 
copp] tube1 :i* has an alt]nat+ curr5t  
induc$ 9 x1 is atta*$ to solid disks (  
/eel :i* 9 turn are atta*$ to a /eel    
diaphragm an in* ?ick4 ,9 ! ,uncas ,i _h
 a *ance to make t diaphragm practically
 a "p ( ! side ( ! %ip4 ,"h ,i h _h to  
hang x ov]bo>d1 ) a l>ge wat]-tight     
diaphragm atta*$ to ! oscillator4  ,i   
li/5$ eag]ly1 ev5 if ,i 7 n an          
electrical eng9e]4  ,! same oscillator1 
he w5t on1 is us$ = s5d+ & receiv+1 =1 l
 ! ord9>y electric motor x is also      
capable ( act+ z a g5]ator1 & a v       
effici5t "o1 too4 ,all ,i h to d is to  
?r[ a swit* 9 "o direction :5 ,i want to
 telegraph or telephone "u wat]1 & 9 !  
o!r direction :5 ,i want to li/5 94  ,i 
c\ld sc>cely cr$it :at ,i he>d4 ,craig  
_h circumv5t$ ev5 ! spectacul> wireless4
 ,he 0 actually talk+ ?r\gh wat]4 ,craig

 _h virtually end[$ himself ) a six?    
s5se6  ,i wat*$ him spellb\nd4 ,w\ld he 
succe$ 9 :atev] x 0 t he 0 plann+8 ,i   
wait$ anxi\sly4  ,!re's ! answ]6 he     
exclaim$ 9 sudd5 exultation4 ,burke is  
on ! ,uncas4 ,he tells me t he w5t to   
see ,mrs4 ,petzka & %e is ) him--insi/$ 
on go+1 :5 %e he>d t h] husb& _h be5    
engag$ by ! ,furi\s4  ,he wait$ a mom5t4
  ,y see1 ,walt]1 he resum$1 :at ,i am  
do+ is to s5d out signals by :i* !      
,uncas c locate & foll[ u4 ,%e is fa/1  
b1 ?ank heav51 ?is ya*t has to g sl[    
tonight4 ,s\nd travels 9 wat] at a      
velocity ( ab\t f\r ?\s& feet a second4 
,= in/ance1 ,i f9d t ,i get an e*o 9    
ab\t "o-tw5tie? ( a second4 ,t is !     
reflect$ s\nd wave f ! bottom1 &        
indicates t we are 9 wat] ( ab\t "o     
hundr$ feet dep?4 ,!n ,i get ano!r e*o 9
 some?+ ov] two seconds4 ,t is ! waves  
reflect$ f ! ,uncas1 :i* has be5 hov]+  
ab\t1 wait+ = some?+ to happ54 ,!y c't  
be mu* m ?an a mile & a half away1 n[4  
,i _h expect$ to signal !m f ! %ore1 a  

dock or some?+ ( ! sort1 us+ ?is        
oscillator to get ar\nd t fell['s       
wireless4 ,b we're mu* bett] (f on !    
boat4  ,i look$ at him 9 amazem5t4      
,surr\nd$ by all ?is junk t may bl[ u to
 k+dom come any second8 ,i dem&$4       
,burke says /eam is /ill up on all !    
%ips ti$ up 9 ! h>bor s t !y c make a   
da% = x4 ,!y are evid5tly wait+ = t ,s  
,o ,s signal4  ,t's all "r1 ,i said 9   
desp]ation1 ,b suppose !y bl[ u up1     
fir/8  ,bl[ u up fir/8 he repeat$4 ,:y1 
don't y und]/&8 ,x is n ! ,furi\s t !y  
are aft]4 ,! :ole w> fleet t is hang+   
ar\nd 9 ?is "p ( ! ,atlantic is to be   
bl[n up 9 mid-ocean1 z "p ( ! plan to   
aid ! escape ( ! int]n$ %ips 9 ,new     
,york4  ,oh1 ,i brea!d1 ) a sigh (      
relief1 t's x1 is x8  ,yes4 ,we'll get 9
 bad all ar\nd if we c't /op x--,burke )
 ! ,secret ,s]vice & ourselves )        
,gaskell1 :o doesn't dream t 8 ya*t is  
be+ us$ = ! exact opposite ( ! purpose =
 :i* he ?9ks he has l5t x--to say no?+ (
 ! mess t our gov]nm5t w h to face =    

lett+ ^! preci\s s*em]s play ducks &    
drakes ) our neutrality4  ,we wait$     
eag]ly1 ,k5n$y s5d+ out & receiv+ !     
subm>9e signals1 & ,i pe]+ out anxi\sly 
into ! almo/ imp5etrable fog4  ,sudd5ly1
 app>5tly f n[h]e 9 ! %ift+ mi/1 lights 
seem$ to loom up4 ,in/ead ( /opp+1      
h[ev]1 ! ,furi\s put on a sudd5 bur/ (  
reckless spe$4  ,! ,uncas 0 no mat* = h]
 at t game4 ,w\ld %e escape f9ally1 aft]
 all8  ,a %>p report rang out4 ,! ,uncas
 _h s5t a %ot across our b[s1 s         
dang]\sly close t x snapp$ "o ( ! cables
 t held ! ma/4  ,! vibration ( our eng9e
 sl[$1 & ceas$1 & we lay1 idly wall[+ 9 
! waves z ! rev5ue cutt]1 be>+ our fri5d
 ,burke & help1 came up4  ,a c\ple (    
boats put out f ! cutt] & 9 almo/ no "t 
we c\ld he> ! tread ( feet & ! ex*ange (
 h>% words z ! gov]nm5t (fic]s sw>m$ up 
! ladd] to our deck4  ,x 0 only a mom5t 
lat] t ! hat* 0 brok5 op5 & we he>d !   
welcome brogue ( ,burke1 call+1         
,k5n$y--are y & ,jameson all "r8  ,"r   
"h1 sang out ,craig1 deta*+ ! oscillator

 & replac+ ! electric bulb1 :i* he      
light$4  ,! commotion on deck 0 too     
great = anyone to make mu* ( f9d+ u1 two
 /[aways4 ,! ,c\ntess 0 surpris$1 h[ev]1
 &1 ,i felt1 r glad to see u at a "t :5 
we might1 possibly ex]t "s influ5ce 9 h]
 favor if matt]s came to a m s]i\s pass4
  ,!re 0 sc>cely "t = a ^w4 ,burke's m5 
7 work+ quickly4 ,!y _h ent]$ ! hold1   
aft] a ^w f ,k5n$y1 & f> out into !     
ocean !y 7 ca/+ ! boxes & bags ov]bo>d1 
"o at a "t1 z fa/ z !y c\ld4 ,!y work$  
fev]i%ly1 z ,burke spurr$ !m on1 & ,i   
mu/ say t x 0 ) ! utmo/ relief t ,i saw 
! ?+s ?r[n ov]4  ,! boxes sank1 b rose  
aga9 & float$1 bobb+ up & d[n1 at lea/  
"s ( !m1 p]haps a ?ird above wat] &     
two-?irds bel[4  ,x 0 n = sev]al m9utes 
t ,i notic$ t ) ^? :o _h come abo>d !   
,furi\s f ! cutt] /ood ,bett9a ,petzka4 
,a mom5t lat] %e caught sight ( ,k5n$y4 
,:]e is my husb&8 %e dem&$1 runn+ to    
him4  ,k5n$y _h no *ance to reply4      
,sudd5ly a s]ies ( fla%es %att]$ !      
d>kness4 ,a t]rific ro> seem$ to rise f 

! v ocean1 :ile a ra9 ( sp>ks light$ up 
great spurts ( wat] & !n fell back1 to  
p]i% 9 ! d>k waves4 ,! ,furi\s trembl$ f
 end to end4  ,we look$1 />tl$1 at ea*  
o!r4 ,b we 7 all safe4 ,! ?+s _h be5    
detonat$ 9 ! wat]4  ,only ! fact t he   
w\ld h bl[n himself up prev5t$ him f    
bl[+ up ! ya*t & all ! evid5ce aga9/    
him1 n[ t we h discov]$ 8 plot1 cri$    
,burke1 excit$ly1 da%+ d[n ! deck4      
,recov]$ sc>cely f our surprise at !    
explosion & ! que] actions ( ! ,secret  
,s]vice man1 we ru%$ aft] him z be/ we  
c\ld1 ,craig lead+4  ,he l$ ! way to !  
little wireless room4 ,! door 0 bolt$ on
 ! inside1 b we manag$ soon to bur/ x   
op54  ,i %all nev] =get ! surprise :i*  
greet$ u4 ,9 a *air1 b\nd & gagg$1 z    
?\gh he _h be5 ov]come only aft] a      
/ruggle1 sat ,petzka4  ,mrs4 ,petzka    
?rew h]self frantically on him1 te>+ at 
! /\t cords t held him4  ,nikola--:at is
 ! matt]8 %e cri$4 ,:at has happ5$8     
,?r\gh 8 gag1 :i* %e _h loos5$ a bit1 he
 made a peculi>1 gurgl+ noise4 ,z ne>ly 

z ,i c\ld make out1 he 0 /ruggl+ to say1
 ,he came 9--surpris$ me--seiz$         
me--lock$ ! door4  ,julia ,rovigno /ood 
root$ to ! spot--utt]ly spee*less4      
,!re1 surr\nd$ by electric batt]ies1    
cond5s]s1 projectors1 regulators1       
resonators1 reflectors1 voltmet]s1 &    
ammet]s1 que] app>atus :i* he _h smuggl$
 secretly on ! ,furi\s1 be=e a /range   
sort ( device1 ) a wireless headge> /ill
 ov] 8 e>s1 /ood ! own] ( at lea/ two ( 
! l9]s ( ! bellig]5ts :i* 7 to h made ! 
da% = ! ocean aft] he _h succe$$ by 8   
new wireless ray device 9 remov+ !      
ho/ile fleet--,c\nt ,rovigno himself4   
,,*apt] ,,xiii  ,,! ,,sup]-,,tox9       
,i've got to make good 9 ?is ,delaney   
case1 ,k5n$y1 appeal$ our old fri5d1    
,dr4 ,leslie1 ! coron]1 "o ev5+ :5 he _h
 dropp$ unexpect$ly into ! laboratory1  
look+ p>ticul>ly fagg$ & disc\rag$4  ,y 
"k1 he add$1 !y've be5 inve/igat+ my    
(fice--& n[1 "h comes a case :i*1 ,i mu/
 confess1 completely baffles u aga94    
,delaney1 mus$ ,craig4 ,let me see4 ,t's

 ! ri* ,texas ran*] :o has be5 blaz+ a  
trail ?r\gh ! :ite lights ( ,broadway--)
 t ,b>oness ,von ,dorf &----  ,& o!r w> 
brok]s1 int]rupt$ ,leslie4  ,w> brok]s8 
qu]i$ ,craig4  ,yes4 ,t's :at !y call   
!m4 ,!y're a new class--p ) some?+ to   
sell to or ) commissions to buy =       
bellig]5t gov]nm5ts4 ,9 ,delaney's case 
x 0 fifty ?\s& or s head ( cattle &     
horses1 controll$ by a syndicate ( :i*  
he 0 ! promot]4 ,t's :y he came to ,new 
,york1 y "k1--to sell !m at a high price
 to any ,european p[]4 ,! syndicate /&s 
to make a small =tune4  ,i und]/&1 nodd$
 ,k5n$y1 int]e/$4  ,j z ?\gh !re wasn't 
my/]y en\gh ab\t ,delaney's sudd5 dea?1 
,leslie hurri$ on1 "h's a lett] t came  
to him today--too late4  ,k5n$y took !  
note ,leslie h&$ him4 ,x 0 po/m>k$      
,wa%+ton1 & read3       ,,de> ,,daley3  
,i int5d$ writ+ to y soon] b hav5't felt
 well en\gh      s9ce ,i came "h4 ,!    
/range/ ?+ ab\t x is t !      doctors ,i
 h consult$ seem to be unable to tell me
      def9itely :at is ! matt]4       ,i

 c tell y ,i h be5 badly fright5$4 ,i   
seem$ to h a      lot ( little boils on 
my face & new ones kept com+4 ,i felt   
weak & *illy & _h heada*es t almo/ drove
 me crazy4      ,p]haps ! ?+1 :atev] x  
is1 has made me insane1 b ,i      _c    
help wond]+ :e!r !re may n be some?+    
back      ( x all4 ,d y suppose someone 
c\ld h poison$ me1      hop+ to ru9 my  
beauty1 on :i*1 to a great measure1     
dep5ds      my success 9 my mission to  
,am]ica dur+ ! w>8       ,s9ce ,i came  
"h ,i h be5 wond]+1 too1 h[ y are4 ,if  
!re %\ld be any?+ 9 my suspicions1      
p]haps x w\ld be      safe/ = y to leave
 ,new ,york4 ,!re is no?+ m ,i c        
say1 b if y feel ! lea/ bit unwell1 d n 
disreg>d      ?is w>n+4       ,if y w   
meet me "h1 we c arrange ! deal ) ^? ,i 
repres5t at almo/ any price y "n4       
,try h>d to get "h4      ,z ev]1        
,,l\ise4  ,craig look$ up quickly4 ,h y 
communicat$ ) ! ,b>oness8 he ask$4  ,dr4
 ,leslie lean$ =w>d 9 8 *air4 ,! fact   
is1 he repli$ sl[ly1 ! woman :o calls   

h]self ! ,b>oness ,von ,dorf has sudd5ly
 disappe>$1 ev5 9 ,wa%+ton4 ,we c f9d no
 trace ( h] :atev]4 ,inde$1 ! embassy   
d[n !re does n ev5 admit t %e is a w>   
buy]4 ,oh1 ! newspap]s hav5't got ! :ole
 ,delaney /ory--yet4 ,b :5 !y d get     
x--he paus$ & glanc$ significantly at   
me--!re's go+ to be "s s5sation4  ,i    
recall$ n[ t !re _h be5 an air ( my/]y  
surr\nd+ ! sudd5 dea? ( ,daley ,delaney 
! day be=e4 ,at lea/ "o ( ! pap]s _h    
call$ x ! purple dea?--:atev] t might   
mean4 ,i _h ?\ght x due to ! wild c>e] (
 ! ran*man1 p]haps a pla9 case (        
apoplexy1 ar\nd :i* ! bright "y report]s
 _h wov5 a sl5d] ?read ( romance4       
,k5n$y1 h[ev]1 ?\ght o!rwise4  ,! purple
 dea?1 he rum9at$1 turn+ ! case ov] 9 8 
m9d4 ,h y any idea :at ! pap]s mean by  
t8  ,:y1 x's "o ( ! mo/ grewsome ?+s y  
ev] he>d (1 w5t on ,leslie eag]ly1      
enc\rag$4 ,9 "s incompreh5sible way ! h&
 ( fate seems to h sudd5ly desc5d$ on ! 
:ole ,delaney ent\rage4 ,fir/ 8         
,japanese s]vant fell a victim to ?is   

'purple dea?1' z !y call x4  ,he _h     
sc>cely be5 remov$ to a hospital :]e1   
aft] fight+ a brave fight1 he succumb$  
to ! unkn[n p]il1 :5 ! butl] 0 /rick54  
,delaney himself pack$ up1 to leave1 9  
panic1 :5 sudd5ly1 app>5tly )\t w>n+1 ! 
purple dea? c>ri$ him (f4 ,9 ?ree days  
?ree ( !m h di$ sudd5ly4 ,!n came ?is   
lett] f ! ,b>oness4 ,x set me ?9k+4     
,p]haps x 0 poison--,i don't "k4  ,craig
 read ! lett] ( ! ,b>oness aga94 ,mo/   
int]e/+1 he exclaim$ en]getically z ,dr4
 ,leslie f9i%$4 ,i %all be only too glad
 to help y if ,i c4 ,c\ld y take u up to
 ,delaney's rooms8 ,is ! body /ill !re8 
,no1 x has be5 remov$ to a private      
und]tak+ e/abli%m5t & ! ap>tm5t is gu>d$
 by police4 ,we c /op at ! und]tak]'s on
 ! way ov] to ! ap>tm5t4  ,!re c\ld be  
no d\bt t ,leslie 0 consid]ably reliev$ 
to ?9k t ,craig w\ld cons5t to take !   
case4 ,z = ,k5n$y1 ,i c\ld see t !      
affair ar\s$ 8 int]e/ to ! ke5e/ po9t4  
,0 anyone associat$ ) ,delaney 9 !      
syndicate "h8 inquir$ ,craig z we settl$

 ourselves 9 ,dr4 ,leslie's c>4  ,yes1  
answ]$ ! coron]1 hurry+ u along1 ano!r  
memb] ( ! syndicate 0 8 fri5d1 ,dr4     
,h>ris ,haynes4  ,:o is he8 ask$ ,k5n$y4
  ,haynes has be5 a vet]9>y1 b f\nd t   
!re 0 m money 9 ! cattle bus9ess ?an 9  
practic+ 8 pr(ession4 ,! ne$s (         
,european w> seem$ to (f] j !           
opportunity !y ne$$ to reap a quick     
=tune4  ,i've he>d1 nodd$ ,craig1 t     
conditions abroad h l$ to a great influx
 ( adv5tur]s ) o!r p's money4  ,yes4    
,accord+ to all acc\nts1 ,delaney &     
,haynes h be5 lead+ a r rapid exi/5ce   
s9ce !y came to ,new ,york4 ,x's q "r4  
,! city is full ( que] & my/]i\s        
*>act]s1 bo? m5 & wom51 :o pr(ess to be 
ag5ts = v>i\s =eign gov]nm5ts1 (t5      
unnam$4 ,delaney & ,haynes h met ab\t   
all ( ?is curi\s army1 ,i suppose4  ,i  
see1 prompt$ ,craig4 ,among !m1 ,i take 
x1 0 ?is /unn+ woman :o calls h]self !  
,b>oness ,l\ise ,von ,dorf4 ,h[ fri5dly 
7 !y8  ,well1 %e sp5t a great deal ( "t1
 :5 %e 0 9 ! city1 up at ! ap>tm5t      

,delaney _h r5t$4  ,leslie & ,k5n$y     
ex*ang$ a significant glance4 ,:o is %e8
 ask$ ,craig4 ,d y "k8  ,no "o seems to 
"k4 ,yet %e is always pl5tifully suppli$
 ) money & !y tell me %e talks glibly ( 
^? ^: 'influ5ce' %e c comm& 9 ,wa%+ton4 
,b %e has disappe>$1 mus$ ,k5n$y4 ,7 !re
 any o!rs8  ,haynes hasn't be5 pro(     
aga9/ _! wiles1 answ]$ ! coron]4 ,i h   
f\nd out t he 0 introduc$ by "o ( ! 'w> 
brok]s' to a ,madame ,daphne ,dupres4   
,& %e8  ,leslie %ook 8 head4 ,i don't "k
 any?+ ab\t h]1 except t %e lives at !  
,hotel ,/4 ,qu5t9--! same place1 by !   
way1 :]e ,haynes makes 8 headqu>t]s4    
,our c> pull$ up at ! private morgue ( !
 burial company to :i* ,delaney's body  
_h be5 tak54  ,we ent]$1 & ,k5n$y wa/$  
no "t 9 mak+ a c>eful exam9ation ( !    
rema9s ( ! un=tunate victim4  ,i c\ldn't
 make any?+ out ( x1 ev5 aft] an        
autopsy1 confess$ ,dr4 ,leslie4 ,x seem$
 z ?\gh x 7 some?+ t _h be5 convey$ by !
 blood all ov] ! body1 some?+ t block$ !
 capill>ies & caus$ innum]able          

hemorrhages into organs & tissues1 &    
especially n]ve c5t]s4  ,! body seem$ to
 be discolor$ & v>iegat$ 9 color1 ) "h &
 !re little m>ks ( boils or vesicles4   
,x looks l some?+ t has deplet$ ! r$    
corpuscles ( oxyg51 cont9u$ ,leslie1    
notic+ t ,k5n$y _h drawn (f a little ( !
 body fluids1 evid5tly = future /udy4 ,z
 ne>ly z ,i c\ld make out !re _h be5 a  
cyanosis 9 a m>k$ degree4 ,he _h all !  
appe>ance ( hav+ be5 asphyxiat$4  ,:i*  
seems to h be5 en\gh to sugge/ to "s    
imag9ative m9d ! 'purple dea?1' rem>k$  
,k5n$y dryly4  ,/ill1 ,i c\ld n help    
notic+ t x 0 really no exagg]ation to   
call x ! purple dea?4  ,"o ( ! morgue   
att5dants _h call$ ,dr4 ,leslie aside & 
a mom5t lat] he rejo9$ u4  ,!y tell me  
,haynes has be5 "h1 he report$4 ,i left 
^w t any visitors 7 to be c>efully      
wat*$4  ,/range1 mutt]$ ,k5n$y1 absorb+ 
,dr4 ,leslie's late/ in=mation & !n     
look+ back at ! body1 puzzl$4 ,v /range4
 ,let u g up to ! ap>tm5t "r away4      
,k5n$y /[$ ! little tube 9 :i* he _h    

plac$ ! body fluid safely 9 8 pocket &  
l$ ! way out aga9 to our wait+ c>4      
,delaney _h pick$ out a fa%ionable      
neighborhood 9 :i* to live4 ,z we ent]$ 
! bronze grill$ door & rode up 9 !      
elevator1 ,k5n$y h&$ ea* ( u a cig> &   
light$ "o himself4 ,i light$ up1 too1   
?9k+ t p]haps !re might be "s virtue 9  
tobacco to w>d (f ! unse5 p]ils into :i*
 we 7 go+4  ,! weal?y ran*man1 evid5tly1
 on 8 arrival 9 ,new ,york _h r5t$ an   
ap>tm5t1 furni%$1 f a lawy]1 ,a%by      
,ames1 :o _h gone s\? on acc\nt ( 8     
heal?4  ,we ent]$ & f\nd t x 0 a v      
attractive place t ,ames _h fitt$ up4   
,at "o side ( a libr>y or draw+-room    
op5$ out a little glass sun-p>lor or    
cons]vatory on a balcony4 ,into x a     
d9+-room op5$ also4 ,9 fact1 ! liv+     
rooms ( ! :ole suite c\ld be ?r[n into  
"o1 ) ?is sun-p>lor z a c5t]4  ,ev]y?+  
ab\t ! ap>tm5t 0 q up-to-date1 also4 ,= 
in/ance1 ,i notic$ t ! little           
cons]vatory 0 light$ brilliantly by a   
m]cury vapor tube t ran ar\nd x 9 a huge

 rectangle ( light4  ,dr4 ,leslie & !   
police _h already ransack$ ! place & !re
 did n seem to be mu* likelihood t any?+
 c\ld h escap$ !m4 ,/ill1 ,k5n$y began a
 se>*+ exam9ation aft] 8 own me?ods1    
:ile we wait$1 gaz+ at him curi\sly4    
,by ! fr[n on 8 =ehead ,i ga!r$ t he 0 n
 meet+ ) mu* enc\ragem5t1 :51 sudd5ly1  
he )drew ! cig> f 8 m\?1 look$ at x     
critically1 puff$ aga91 !n mov$ 8 lips &
 tongue z if try+ to ta/e some?+4       
,me*anically ,i did ! same4 ,! cig> _h a
 peculi> flavor4 ,i %\ld h flung x away 
if ,k5n$y himself _h n giv5 x to me4 ,x 
0 n m]e imag9ation1 ei!r4 ,surely !re _h
 be5 none ( t sweeti%ness ab\t !        
fragrant ,havana :5 ,i light$ x on ! way
 up4  ,:at is ! matt]8 ,i ask$4  ,!re's 
cyanog5 9 ?is room1 ,craig rem>k$ ke5ly1
 /ill ta/+1 z he /ood ne> ! sun-p>lor4  
,cyanog58 ,i repeat$4  ,yes1 !re are    
artificial aids to ! s5ses t make !m mu*
 ke5] ?an nature has done = u4 ,=       
in/ance1 if air conta9s ! m]e/ traces ( 
! deadly cyanog5 gas--prussic acid1 y   

"k--cig> smoke acquires a peculi> ta/e  
:i* furni%es an effici5t al>m signal4   
,dr4 ,leslie's face bright5$ z ,k5n$y   
proce$$4  ,t is some?+ l my idea1 he    
exclaim$4 ,i h ?\ght all along t x look$
 v mu* l a poison+ case4 ,9 fact1 ! v   
fir/ impression ,i _h 0 t x might h be5 
due to a cyanide--or at lea/ "s gas l   
cyanog54  ,k5n$y said no?+1 & ! coron]  
proce$$4 ,& ! body look$ cyanotic1 too1 
y recall4 ,b ! autopsy reveal$ no?+     
fur!r4 ,i h ev5 exam9$ ! food1 z f> z ,i
 c1 b ,i c't f9d any?+ wrong ) x4  ,!re 
0 a noise at ! door1 outside 9 ! hall1 &
 ,dr4 ,leslie op5$ x4  ,dr4 ,haynes1 he 
introduc$1 a mom5t lat]4  ,haynes 0 a   
l>ge man1 good-look+1 ev5 /rik+1 ) a    
self-ass]tive mann]4 ,we %ook h&s1 &    
tak+ our cue f ,craig1 wait$ = him to   
speak4  ,x's v /range :at c\ld h c>ri$  
,delaney (f s sudd5ly1 v5tur$ ,haynes a 
mom5t lat]4 ,i've be5 try+ to figure x  
out myself4 ,b ,i mu/ admit t s f> x has
 completely /ump$ me4  ,he 0 pac+ up &  
d[n ! room & ,i wat*$ him m or less     

suspici\sly4 ,someh[ ,i c\ld n get !    
idea out ( my head t he _h be5 li/5+ to 
u outside4 ,n[ & !n1 ,i fanci$1 he %ot a
 glance at u1 z if he 7 wat*+ u4  ,!y   
tell me at ! burial company t y 7 !re   
today1 put 9 ,dr4 ,leslie1 8 eyes fix$  
on ,haynes' face4  ,haynes met 8 gaze   
squ>ely1 )\t fl9*+4 ,yes4 ,i got ?9k+   
ov] :at ! pap]s said ab\t ! 'purple     
dea?1' & ,i ?\ght p]haps ,i might h     
ov]look$ some?+4 ,b !re wasn't--  ,!    
telephone rang4 ,haynes seiz$ ! receiv] 
be=e any ( ! re/ ( u c\ld get to x4 ,t  
mu/ be = me1 he said ) a brusque        
apology4 ,:y--yes1 ,i am "h4 ,dr4       
,leslie & ,pr(essor ,k5n$y are up "h4   
,no--we hav5't discov]$ any?+ new4      
,yes--,i %all keep ! appo9tm5t4         
,good-by4  ,! conv]sation _h be5 %ort1  
b1 to me at lea/1 x seem$ t he _h       
contriv$ to convey a w>n+ )\t seem+ to d
 s4     ,,*apt] ,,xiv  ,,! ,,secret     
,,ag5ts   ,dr4 ,leslie look$ at ,haynes 
se>*+ly4 ,:o 0 x8 he ask$4 ,madame      
,dupres8  ,haynes did n hesitate4 ,yes1 

he nodd$4 ,i _h an appo9tm5t ) h] & told
 h] t if ,i 0 late x w\ld probably be t 
,i _h /opp$ "h4  ,! answ] came s readily
 t ,i mu/ confess t ,i 0 suspici\s ( x4 
,did ,madame ,dupres "k ! ,b>oness ,von 
,dorf8 ask$ ,craig quickly4  ,yes1      
inde$1 return$ ,haynes1 !n /opp$        
sudd5ly4  ,b !y didn't travel 9 ! same  
circle1 did !y8 ask$ ,dr4 ,leslie1 ) !  
air ( ! cross-exam9] :o wi%$ to place on
 record a fact t might lat] prove       
damag+4  ,n exactly1 answ]$ ,haynes1 )  
"s hesitation4  ,y knew h]1 ( c\rse8    
add$ ,craig4  ,haynes nodd$4  ,i wond]  
if y c\ld locate ! ,b>oness1 pursu$     
,k5n$y4  ,haynes seem$ to express no    
surprise at ! obvi\s implication t %e 0 
miss+4 ,i h no objection to try+1 he    
answ]$ simply2 !n1 ) a glance at 8 wat*1
 he rea*$ = 8 hat & /ick & excus$       
himself4 ,i'm afraid ,i mu/ g4 ,if ,i c 
be ( any assi/ance1 he add$1 don't      
hesitate to call on me4 ,delaney & ,i 7 
pretty closely associat$ 9 ?is deal & ,i
 feel t no?+ is too mu* to ask ( me if x

 is possible to cle> up ! my/]y ( 8     
dea?1 if !re is any4  ,he dep>t$ z      
quickly z he _h come4  ,i wond] :at he  
dropp$ 9 =8 ,i rem>k$4  ,:atev] x 01 he 
didn't get x1 return$ ,leslie4  ,i'm n s
 sure ( t1 ,i said1 rememb]+ ! brief    
telephone conv]sation ) ,madame ,dupres4
  ,k5n$y did n appe> to be bo!r+ mu*    
ab\t ! "q "o way or ! o!r4 ,he _h let 8 
cig> g out dur+ ,haynes' visit1 b n[ t  
we 7 alone aga9 he cont9u$ 8 m9ute se>* 
( ! premises4  ,he op5$ a closet :i*    
evid5tly conta9$ no?+ b h\sehold ut5sils
 & 0 ab\t to %ut ! door :5 an idea      
occurr$ to him4 ,a mom5t lat] he pull$ f
 ! my/ic dep?s an electric vacuum clean]
 & dragg$ x ov] to ! sun-p>lor4  ,)\t a 
^w we wat*$ him z he ran x ov] ! floor &
 walls1 ev5 ov] ! wick] /&s on :i* !    
plants /ood1 & !n ov] ! floor cov]+s &  
furniture ( ! o!r rooms t op5$ into !   
cons]vatory4 ,:at he 0 aft] ,i c\ld n   
imag9e1 b ,i knew x 0 useless to ask him
 until he _h f\nd x or _h "s reason =   
tell+ x4  ,c>efully he remov$ ! du/ &   

dirt f ! ma*9e & wrapp$ x up tightly 9 a
 package4  ,we p>t$ f ,dr4 ,leslie at ! 
door ( ! ap>tm5t1 promis+ to keep 9 t\* 
) him & let him "k ! mom5t any?+ happ5$4
  ,at ! fir/ telegraph (fice ,k5n$y     
ent]$ & s5t (f a long message to our    
fri5d ,burke ( ! ,secret ,s]vice 9      
,wa%+ton1 ask+ him to locate ! ,b>oness1
 if possible1 9 t city1 & to give any   
in=mation he might h ab\t ei!r ,haynes  
or ,madame ,dupres4  ,x's /ill e>ly 9 ! 
ev5+1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y z we left !         
telegraph (fice4 ,suppose we drop ar\nd 
to ! ,/4 ,qu5t94 ,p]haps we may run into
 our fri5ds !re4  ,! ,/4 ,qu5t9 0 a     
favorite resort ( =eign]s 9 ,new ,york1 
& ,i1 at lea/1 ent]$ prep>$ to suspect  
ev]yone4  ,n all ^! my/]i\s-look+ m5 &  
wom51 laugh$ ,k5n$y1 notic+ me z we     
walk$ ?r\gh ! lobby1 are secret ag5ts ( 
=eign gov]nm5ts4  ,/ill !y look z if !y 
might give y ! 'high sign1' ,i repli$1  
p>ticul>ly if y fla%$ a bankroll4  ,i   
don't d\bt x1 he agre$1 8 eye rov+ ov] !
 ?rong4 ,i suspect t ,scotl& ,y>d & !   

,palais de ,ju/ice might be q pleas$ to 
see "s faces "h r ?an on ! o!r side ( ! 
,atlantic4  ,he drew me into an angle & 
= "s mom5ts we /udi$ ! pass+ cr[d (     
diplomats & ne>-diplomats4  ,a mom5t    
lat] ,i saw ,k5n$y b[ &1 foll[+ !       
direction ( 8 eyes1 look$ up to a sort (
 mezzan9e gall]y4 ,!re 7 ,haynes & a mo/
 attractive woman1 talk+ e>ne/ly4       
,madame ,dupres1 ,craig :isp]$ to me1   
aside4  ,%e 0 tall1 sl5d]1 g[n$ 9 ! mo/ 
modi% mann]1 & _h a =eign way ab\t h] t 
w\ld h fasc9at$ "o ev5 m cosmopolitan   
?an a ,texas vet]9>y4  ,n[ & !n someone 
w\ld /op & *at ) !m & x seem$ t !y 7 on 
v good t]ms1 at lea/ ) a c]ta9 gr\p at !
 ,/4 ,qu5t94  ,k5n$y mov$ out fur!r into
 ! lobby :]e he 0 m noticeable2 !n1 ) a 
sudd5 resolution1 m\nt$ ! /eps to !     
mezzan9e floor & approa*$ ,haynes4  ,let
 me introduce ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 ,madame 
,dupres1 pres5t$ ,haynes4  ,k5n$y b[$4  
,:atev] "o's op9ion ( madame1 he 0 =c$  
to admit t %e 0 clev]4 ,x 0 evid5t1     
also1 t %e & ,haynes 7 on v intimate    

t]ms1 also4  ,i hope t y w be able to   
cle> up ! my/]y t ! newspap]s h f\nd 9  
,mr4 ,delaney's dea?1 %e rem>k$4 ,mr4   
,haynes has told me t he met y tonight )
 ,dr4 ,leslie4 ,by ! way1 has he told y 
8 own !ory8 %e ask$4  ,we %all d our    
be/1 repli$ ,k5n$y1 meet+ h] eye 9 z    
imp]sonal a mann] z x 0 possible1 = x is
 always difficult to dissociate a       
beautiful woman f a case l ?is & judge  
h] n z a beautiful woman b on ! m]its ( 
! case4 ,no1 ,mr4 ,haynes has n told me 
8 !ory--yet4  ,i'm v glad to h met y1 %e
 add$1 ext5d+ h] da9tily glov$ h& to    
,k5n$y1 & y may be sure t if !re is any 
way 9 :i* ,i c be ( s]vice ,i %all      
expect y to call on me4 ,j n[ ,i hope y 
w excuse me4 ,i h "s lett]s to get (f--&
 ,i w leave y m5 to discuss ,mr4        
,haynes' !ory )\t be+ hamp]$ by a m]e   
woman4 ,nev] m9d1 ,h>ris1 %e add$ z     
,haynes made z if to escort h] to !     
ladies' writ+ room4  ,z ,madame ,dupres 
pass$ d[n ! /eps !re 0 no d5y+ t %e made
 a spl5did impression4 ,haynes wat*$ h] 

) a glance t 0 almo/ rav5\s4 ,!re c\ld  
be no d\bt ( h] influ5ce ov] him4  ,z %e
 pass$ ?r\gh ! lobby %e paus$ at !      
telegraph desk a mom5t1 !n w5t into !   
writ+ room4  ,yes1 ,i ?9k ,i h an       
explanation1 began ,haynes1 :5 %e 0 out 
( sight4 ,i've be5 try+ to figure out   
:at c\ld h kill$ ,delaney4 ,( c\rse ,i c
 only guess1 b ,i don't ?9k x is su* a  
bad guess4  ,:at is x8 ask$ ,craig4  ,y 
rememb] ! m]cury vapor light8  ,k5n$y   
nodd$4  ,m]cury vapor lights ( t sort   
are a pretty good s\rce ( ultra-violet  
rays sometimes1 w5t on ,haynes4 ,well1  
d\btless y "k t v>i\s plants belong+ to 
diff]5t families produce free prussic   
acid4 ,!y are really cyanog5etic plants4
 ,light & ! assimilation processes      
dep5d+ on light ex]t a favorable        
influ5ce on cyanog5esis4 ,= in/ance1 a  
mixture ( citric acid ) a mu* small]    
am\nt ( potassium nitrite & a trace (   
bic>bonate ( iron1 if expos$ to light1 w
 g5]ate hydrocyanic acid4 ,t1 ,i        
believe1 is :at actually happ5s 9 "s    

plant tissues4 ,animals r>ely t\* su*   
plants4 ,i believe t su* a process might
 be aid$ r ?an ret>d$ by ultra-violet   
rays4 ,:at d y ?9k ( x8  ,craig 0 foll[+
 ,dr4 ,haynes ke5ly4 ,z = me1 ,i 0      
a/\nd$ by 8 frankness4 ,i recall$ :at   
,k5n$y _h already said up 9 ,delaney's  
ap>tm5t1 & wat*$ 8 face cov]tly4  ,y\r  
explanation is plausible1 0 all t ,craig
 said4 ,by ! way1 h y f\nd out any?+    
ab\t ! ,b>oness8  ,n a ^w1 yet1 repli$  
,haynes unhesitat+ly4 ,%e seems to be   
out ( t[n4  ,& madame--has %e any idea  
:]e %e is8  ,haynes %ook 8 head4 ,y may 
re/ assur$1 repli$ ,haynes 9 a tone t 0 
meant to c>ry conviction1 t if we c f9d 
out we %all be only too happy to d      
s--ourselves4  ,!re 0 no?+ to be ga9$ by
 fur!r inquiry "h1 & ,i c\ld imag9e t   
,k5n$y 0 burn+ ) anxiety to get at "w on
 8 own l9e ( inquiry at ! laboratory4   
,aft] a few m9utes ( conv]sation we     
excus$ ourselves & left ! hotel4        
,craig's air ( ab/raction 0 n su* z to  
invite fur!r que/ion+1 & ,i left him an 

h\r or s lat] 9 ! laboratory surr\nd$ by
 8 microscopes1 slides1 & innum]able    
te/-tubes :i* he _h prep>$ = "s exce$+ly
 m9ute inve/igation 9 :i* 8 exact s\l   
delight$4  ,h[ late he work$ ,i d n "k1 
= ,i did n he> him come into our        
ap>tm5t4 ,b he 0 up v e>ly1 9 fact woke 
me up /irr+ ar\nd ! liv+ room4  ,i _h   
sc>cely complet$ dress+1 :ile he scann$ 
! morn+ pap]s 9 a va9 hope t "s /ray    
news item might %$ "s light on ! my/]y 9
 :i* we 7 n[ involv$1 :5 ! :irr ( our   
door buzz] ann\nc$ t we _h an unusually 
e>ly call]4  ,k5n$y op5$ ! door &       
admitt$ a /rang]4 ,he 0 "o ( ^?         
well-groom$ middle-ag$ m5 ^: appe>ance  
d5otes ) :at c>e !y seek by e means to  
reta9 y\? t is fa/ pass+4 ,i c\ld imag9e
 him calmly calculat+ ev5 8 vices4  ,my 
"n is ,ames--,a%by ,ames1 he introduc$4 
,dr4 ,leslie1 ! coron]1 has sugge/$ t ,i
 see y4  ,ames look$ z if he _h be5     
travel+ all night & _h n _h a *ance to  
fre%5 himself up 9 8 ha/e4  ,i've j he>d
 ab\t t tr\ble d[n at my ap>tm5t1 he    

cont9u$1 &1 ?\gh ,i _h plann$ a trip =  
my heal? to ! s\!rn resorts1 ,i ?\ght x 
be/ = me to come "r back to ,new ,york4 
,x's a bea/ly mess4  ,he _h ?r[n 8 hat  
v9dictively on ! table1 ?\gh 8 mann] to 
u 0 r t ( "o seek+ advice4 ,:y1 he      
/orm$1 ?is affair is ! limit6 ,i r5t my 
ap>tm5t to an app>5tly reputable p]son4 
,& :at d ,i f9d8 ,x is n ev5 a m]e      
sc&al4 ,x is worse4 ,! place is clos$ & 
gu>d$--qu>ant9$1 z x 74 ,i c't get back 
into my own rooms6  ,k5n$y smil$4 ,i c't
 blame y = feel+ vex$1 ,mr4 ,ames1 he   
soo!d1 b ,i'm sure ,i don't "k :at ,i c 
d = y m ?an ,i am do+4 ,we are mak+ e   
ef=t to cle> ! ?+ up--& ,i h be5 on !   
case1 y mu/ rememb]1 less ?an twelve    
h\rs4  ,oh1 ,i've no criticism ( y1     
rejo9$ ,ames1 some:at mollifi$4 ,i      
didn't come "h to criticise4 ,i came    
only because ,i ?\ght y might l to "k t 
,i 0 back 9 t[n1 & because ,dr4 ,leslie 
m5tion$ y\r "n4 ,no1 inde$--no          
criticism4 ,only1 he add$1 n[ t my      
vacation is spoil$ & ,i am back 9 t[n1  

!re is go+ to be "s action--t's all4  ,x
 c't come too swiftly = me1 enc\rag$    
,craig4  ,i'm go+ to jump "r into ?is   
bea/ly r[1 pursu$ ,ames aggressively4   
,?is morn+ ,i'm go+ to look ^! p up4 ,!y
 tell me t ,b>oness has be5 sp5d+ a good
 deal ( "t at my place4 ,p9e            
bus9ess--eh8 ,%e's disappe>$4 ,b ,i'll  
get aft] t ,haynes & ! ,madame ,dupres  
!y tell me ab\t--& ,i'll let y "k if ,i 
f9d out any?+4  ,he _h n giv5 ,k5n$y a  
*ance to say any?+1 & 9 fact ,k5n$y did 
n seem to want to say any?+ yet4  ,j    
?\ght ,i'd drop 91 conclud$ ,ames1 :o   
hadn't tak5 a *air1 b n[ ext5d$ 8 h& to 
u2 ,i ?9k ,i'll drop into a ,turki% ba? 
& fre%5 up a bit4 ,keep 9 t\* ) me4  ,we
 %ook h&s & ,ames dep>t$1 bu/l+ out z he
 _h bu/l$ 94  ,k5n$y look$ at me &      
laugh$ z ! door clos$4 ,if we h _m m p  
co-op]at+ ) u1 he exclaim$1 we may      
resign & let ?is case solve itself4  ,i 
don't ?9k t is likely1 ,i repli$4  ,n   
unless we he> f ,burke1 he agre$4 ,!re  
is pl5ty = me to d 9 ! laboratory--b ,i 

d wi% ,burke w\ld wire4  ,! morn+ pass$1
 & /ill !re 0 no ^w f ,burke4  ,i ?9k we
 might drop ar\nd to ! ,/4 ,qu5t9 =     
lun*1 sugge/$ ,k5n$y 9 ! =5oon4 ,we     
might pick up "s news !re4  ,we _h      
sc>cely ent]$ :5 we met ,haynes pac+ up 
& d[n ! lobby furi\sly4  ,:at's ! matt]8
 inquir$ ,craig1 eye+ him se>*+ly4  ,:y1
 he repli$ n]v\sly1 /ick+ 8 ?umbs into 8
 wai/coat pockets & !n plung+ !m into 8 
tr\s]s pockets z if x 0 ) ! utmo/       
difficulty he controll$ ^? unruly memb]s
 f do+ viol5ce to somebody1 t fell[     
,ames f :om ,delaney hir$ ! ap>tm5t _h j
 return$ sudd5ly to t[n4 ,i saw him     
talk+ to ,madame ,dupres 9 ! hotel      
p>lor4 ,%e seem$ a bit n]v\s1 s ,i w5t 9
 to speak to h]4 ,b %e said ev]y?+ 0 all
 "r & t %e'd meet me out "h 9 a few     
m9utes4 ,x's qu>t] ( an h\r n[4 ,i ?9k  
he's ?reat5+ h] ) some?+4  ,haynes 0    
evid5tly worri$4 ,i wond]$ :e!r he 0    
afraid t ,ames might worm f h] "s secret
 common to ! two1 = ,i did n d\bt t     
,ames 0 a clev] & subtle attorney &     

capable ( obta9+ a great deal (         
in=mation by 8 k9d ( kid-glove ?ird     
degree4  ,i %\ld l to see bo? ( !m1     
decid$ ,craig quickly4  ,be=e ,haynes   
c\ld say any?+ m1 he /rode into ! hotel 
p>lor4 ,haynes & ,i foll[$ a %ort       
di/ance beh9d4  ,!re 0 an air ( t5se1   
suppress$ excitem5t 9 ! gr\p1 b ( all ( 
u1 ,i felt t ,madame ,dupres 0 ! coole/4
  ,i see y've lo/ no "t 9 gett+ busy1   
nodd$ ,craig to ,ames4  ,no1 he repli$  
easily4 ,?is is c]ta9ly a v int]e/+     
situation :i* madame "h has j outl9$ to 
me4  ,haynes came up j 9 "t to cat* !   
la/ words4  ,i say1 ,ames1 he almo/     
ro>$1 y may be a clev] lawy]1 b y mu/   
rememb] t y are also expect$ to be a    
g5tleman4 ,!re are limits to que/ion+ a 
woman :5 %e has n ! advantage ( hav+ a  
fri5d to advise h]4  ,= a mom5t ,i ?\ght
 !re 0 go+ to be a fight1 b ,k5n$y mov$ 
unobtrusively betwe5 ! two m54 ,z =     
,madame ,dupres1 ,i felt t really %e 0 a
 mat* = bo? ( !m4  ,in/ead ( gett+ mad1 
h[ev]1 ,ames m]ely laugh$4  ,:y1        

,haynes1 he said quietly1 ,i don't ?9k y
 ought to compla94 ,i und]/& t y1 n[    
repres5t+ ,delaney's ,texas syndicate1 h
 already sign$ ! f9al contract = ! deal 
) ^? :om ,madame ,dupres repres5ts & h  
receiv$ a c]tifi$ *eck f !m z a fir/    
paym5t to b9d ! b>ga94  ,haynes turn$   
almo/ livid1 !n recov]+ himself1 glanc$ 
at ,madame ,dupres4  ,:y1 ,h>ris1 ,i    
didn't ?9k !re 0 any secrecy ab\t x n[1 
%e said1 see+ ! *ange 9 him4 ,if !re is1
 ,i'm sorry4  ,!re isn't1 repli$        
,haynes1 quickly recov]+ 8 composure4   
,only ,i j didn't l to see a lawy]1 an  
outsid]1 quizz+ y1 t's all4  ,jeal\sy 0 
/amp$ 9 e l9e ( ,haynes' face4 ,ames    
said no?+1 b x 0 impossible to escape ! 
look ( gratification :i* he %ot at      
,k5n$y z he br\ght out ! />tl+ new      
developm5t4  ,madame ,dupres 0 clev]    
en\gh to see t no good c\ld come (      
prolong+ an int]view = :i* n[ !re 0 an  
excuse to break up4  ,take me 9 to lun*1
 ,h>ris1 %e said1 slipp+ h] arm         
famili>ly into 84 ,good-morn+1 g5tlem54 

,someh[ ,i felt t %e w\ld h lik$ to add1
 ,& if y see ! ,b>oness1 tell h] ,i h   
beat5 h] to x4  ,ames wat*$ !m dep>t )  
an air ( cynical satisfaction1 paus$ a  
mom5t1 !n 9 turn excus$ himself f u4    
,:at did x mean8 ,:at 0 beh9d all ?is   
intrigue4 ,0 x m]ely to get ?is cattle  
contract1 big z t 08  ,we lun*$ toge!r  
at ! ,/4 ,qu5t91 & x 0 evid5t t ,madame 
,dupres 0 do+ h] be/ to smoo? ov] !     
ruffl$ feel+s ( h] lov]4  ,lun*eon ov]1 
,k5n$y plung$ ) r$\bl$ en]gy into 8     
laboratory inve/igation4 ,he said       
little1 b ,i c\ld tell f 8 mann] t he _h
 f\nd some?+ t 0 v fasc9at+ to him4     
,,*apt] ,,xv  ,,! ,,g]m ,,( ,,an?rax    
,x 0 n until ! middle ( ! aft]noon t !re
 came a sudd51 brief message f ! ,secret
 ,s]vice 9 ,wa%+ton3       ,mr4 ,craig  
,k5n$y1      ,new ,york4       ,i h     
locat$ ! ,b>oness ,von ,dorf 9 a private
 sanit>ium      "h & w h h] 9 ,new ,york
 tonight by eight o'clock4              
,,burke4  ,9 a private sanit>ium--w h h]
 9 ,new ,york tonight1 r]ead ,craig1    

/udy+ ! message4 ,!n x w\ldn't seem t   
!re c\ld be mu* ! matt] ) h]4  ,= a few 
mom5ts he pac$ ! laboratory floor1      
alt]nately /udy+ ! bo>ds & ! yell[      
telegram4 ,at la/1 8 face seem$ to light
 up z if he _h reason$ some?+ out to 8  
satisfaction4 ,quickly he rea*$ = !     
telephone & call$ ,dr4 ,leslie4  ,i %all
 h ! ,b>oness "h tonight at eight1      
,leslie1 ,i he>d him say4 ,don't tell a 
s\l ab\t x4 ,b ,i'd l to h y make all ! 
arrangem5ts to secure ! att5dance (     
,haynes1 ,ames1 & ,madame ,dupres "h j a
 bit ahead ( t "t4  ,!re 0 no?+ t ,i    
c\ld d to aid ,craig m 9 ! h\rs t rema9$
 ?an to efface myself1 & ,i did x 9 !   
mo/ effectual way ,i c\ld ?9k (1        
compatible ) my int]e/ 9 ! case4 ,i rode
 d[n to ,dr4 ,leslie's (fice & d9$      
hurri$ly ) him4 ,! only new in=mation ,i
 glean$ 0 t ,haynes _h visit$ him dur+ !
 aft]noon & _h outl9$ 8 !ory ( cyanog51 
:i* c]ta9ly seem$ to me to fit 9 q      
readily ) ! facts4  ,:5 we rea*$ !      
laboratory1 e>ly1 ,k5n$y 0 /ill absorb$ 

9 /udy+ 8 microscope4 ,he said no?+1 b  
app>5tly _h ga9$ an air ( confid5ce :i* 
he lack$ ! night be=e4  ,! ,b>oness _h n
 yet arriv$1 b a few m9utes aft] u came 
,a%by ,ames1 /ill compla9+ ab\t ! clos+ 
( 8 ap>tm5t & ! inconv5i5ce ! :ole      
affair _h put him to4 ,haynes arriv$ &  
,ames cut %ort 8 tirade1 glanc+         
res5tfully at ! vet]9>y z ?\gh 9 "s way 
he 7 responsible = 8 tr\bles4 ,madame   
,dupres arriv$ %ortly1 & ,i c\ld n help 
notic+ t ,haynes 0 pat5tly jeal\s ( ev5 
! nod ( recognition %e gave to ,ames4   
,i don't ?9k ,i ne$ say t ?is is "o ( ! 
mo/ baffl+ cases t we h ev] _h1 began   
,k5n$y1 ) a glance at ,dr4 ,leslie4  ,x 
c]ta9ly is1 *im$ 9 ! coron]1 z ?\gh he  
_h be5 appeal$ to = corroboration4  ,9 !
 fir/ place1 resum$ ,k5n$y1 ,i discov]$ 
9 ! air up !re 9 ,delaney's room j a    
trace ( cyanog54  ,haynes nodd$         
approv+ly1 glanc+ f "o to ! o!r ( u4    
,b1 add$ ,craig1 z if he _h built up a  
h\se ( c>ds m]ely to demoli% x1 ,i don't
 ?9k t cyanog5 0 ! cause ( ,delaney's   

dea?--al?\gh x furni%$ ! clew4  ,:at    
c\ld x h be51 !n8 dem&$ ,haynes1 8 face 
cl\d+4  ,k5n$y look$ at him calmly4     
,y've he>d ( an?rax8 he ask$ simply4    
,y-yes1 repli$ ,haynes1 meet+ 8 eye     
fix$ly4 ,murra9--! cattle disease4  ,t  
is s deadly to human be+s sometimes1    
add$ ,craig4 ,well1 ,i've f\nd some?+ v 
mu* l an?rax g]ms 9 ! sweep+s t ,i took 
up ) ! vacuum clean] up !re4  ,dr4      
,leslie 0 li/5+ int5tly4  ,i c't see h[ 
x c\ld h be5 an?rax1 he put 91 sl[ly    
%ak+ 8 head4 ,:y1 ,k5n$y1 ! symptoms 7  
entirely diff]5t4  ,no1 ?is 0 a poison+ 
( "s k9d1 add$ ,dr4 ,haynes4 ,dr4       
,leslie himself tells me t y f\nd traces
 ( cyanog5 9 ! air--& y h j said s1 too4
  ,k5n$y indicat$ ! microscope4 ,take a 
look at t slide "u ! l5s1 he said       
simply4  ,i 0 ne>e/ & z he evid5tly     
meant ea* ( u to look1 ,i did s4 ,"u !  
high-p[] l5s ,i c\ld see "s little      
r\ndi% dots mov+ sl[ly ?r\gh ! field4   
,haynes look$ next4 ,b1 ,pr(essor       
,k5n$y1 he object$1 almo/ z soon z he _h

 "t = a good look1 ! bacilli ( an?rax h 
normally ! =m ( /raight b>s /rung toge!r
 9 a r[4  ,yes1 rod bacilli1 add$ ,dr4  
,leslie1 also look+4 ,l long r[s (      
hyph5s1 sl5d] cyl9dric1 non-motile *a9s 
jo9$ end to end4  ,we look$ at ,craig   
inquir+ly4  ,l t1 he indicat$1 sub/itut+
 ano!r slide4  ,we look$ aga94 ,! field 
_h some:at ! appe>ance ( an exagg]at$ w>
 map ) d>k units ( suppos$ troops4  ,t's
 x1 nodd$ ,haynes4  ,k5n$y remov$ !     
slide4 ,^? are "s an?rax g]ms ,i obta9$ 
"h 9 ! city f a pa?ologi/1 he said1     
turn+ a swit* t ?rew on 9 a lamp a      
peculi>1 purpli% light4 ,?is is a ma*9e 
= ! propagation ( ultra-violet rays4    
,he plac$ ! second slide1 ) its g]ms (  
an?rax1 9 ! light1 all[+ x to play ov] !
 slide4  ,n[ look1 he said4  ,we did4   
,some?+ _h evid5tly happ5$4 ,! *a9s 7   
brok5 & small] units 7 mov+4  ,if an?rax
 g]ms are expos$ = a few seconds1 ev51  
to ultra-violet light1 !y *ange m or    
less1 ,k5n$y proce$$4 ,^! new =ms are n 
/able4 ,!y quickly *ange back aga9 into 

_! orig9al =m4  ,= ab\t t5 m9utes we sat
 9 sil5ce :ile ! weird light play$ z if 
) gho/ly f+]s on ! deadly invisible p]il
 on ! little glass microscope slide4  ,b
 if ! action ( ! ultra-violet rays is   
cont9u$1 w5t on ,craig1 ! microbe *anges
 into a coccus1 & !n into a fili=m      
bacillus4 ,?is =m is /able4 ,& ! g]m is 
*ang$ 9 o!r respects ?an m]e %ape4 ,x   
has entirely new *>act]i/ics4 ,x is a   
true mutation4 ,x produces a disease    
entirely diff]5t f t ( ! an?rax bacillus
 f :i* x is d]iv$4 ,i h tri$ x on a     
gu9ea pig--& x has di$ 9 =ty-eight h\rs4
  ,/>tl$ z ,i 0 by ?is rem>kable        
discov]y1 ,i yet _h "t to wat* ,haynes4 
,he _h n tak5 8 eyes (f ,k5n$y once s9ce
 he began to speak4  ,9 an?rax1 cont9u$ 
,craig1 an autopsy reveals an enorm\s   
s]\s swell+1 ab\t ! po9t ( inoculation1 
) a l>ge ga!r+ ( microbes :i* are =m$ 9 
! blood & sple54 ,dea? seems to be due  
to septic poison+4 ,b ?is new           
microbe--sup]-toxicus1 ,i ?9k x might   
well be nam$--produces no swell+ &      

sc>cely any microbes are to be f\nd 9 ! 
blood4  ,! lungs are inflam$1 )         
innum]able small abscesses4 ,t is !     
int]nal =m ( ! disease f brea?+ 9 !     
spores ( ^! microbes4 ,x has an ext]nal 
=m1 also1 b t is by no means s deadly4  
,"o w\ld say t dea? f ! int]nal =m ( !  
disease 0 due to poison+4 ,! tox9 ( ?is 
microbe produces a sort ( asphyxiation1 
cutt+ (f & eat+ up ! supply ( oxyg54    
,su* a condition is call$ cyanosis4 ,t  
is :y 9 ,delaney x _h ! appe>ance (     
cyanog5 poison+4 ,! effect 0 ! same4 ,b 
! trace ( cyanog5 9 ! air 0 m]ely a     
co9cid5ce1 ,haynes4 ,x wasn't cyanog5 t 
kill$4 ,b x 0 some?+ q z deadly--& f>   
h>d] to trace--a new g]m6  ,we li/5$1   
fasc9at$4  ,a ,fr5* sci5ti/1 a woman1   
,madame ,victor ,h5ri1 a /ud5t at !     
,pa/eur ,in/itute 9 ,p>is1 has %[n t a  
new microbe c actually be creat$ f      
an?rax g]ms by ! use ( ultra-violet     
rays4 ,x is n l an?rax1 b may be q z    
deadly1 p]haps m s4  ,?is discov]y1 he  
add$ e>ne/ly1 proves = ! fir/ "t t a    

liv+ organism c be *ang$ sudd5ly &      
artificially into an organism ( a new & 
entirely diff]5t species4 ,"o c sc>cely 
appreciate ! importance ( x4 ,if ! g]ms 
( diff]5t diseases c be trans=m$1 ! g]m 
( "o be+ *ang$ into ! g]m ( ano!r1 x w  
be a fir/ /ep t[>d f9d+ a way to *ange  
deadly g]ms into o!rs t w be q innocu\s4
  ,k5n$y paus$ impressively to let !    
horror ( ! ?+ impress itself on our     
m9ds4 ,b ?is crim9al has be5 work+ =    
evil purposes 9 ! wrong                 
direction--creat+ a disease 9 ord] to   
cov] up 8 tracks6  ,"o c\ld almo/ feel !
 net clos+4  ,delaney has fall5 a victim
 to a new g]m ( :i* someone le>n$ 9     
,p>is1 ,craig rac$ on1 inexorably1 a g]m
 t w\ld nev]1 9 all probability1 be     
discov]$ by ,am]ican doctors1 a g]m t   
poison$ safely1 surely1 & swiftly by its
 deadly sup]-tox94  ,a few mom5ts be=e  
!re _h be5 a noise ( a c> outside !     
laboratory w9d[1 b 9 ! excitem5t (      
,craig's />tl+ revelation we _h paid no 
att5tion4  ,a ha/y tap at ! door        

int]rupt$ him4 ,be=e he c\ld op5 x a v  
beautiful woman bur/ 91 foll[$ by a     
?ick-set ,iri%man4  ,x 0 ! ,b>oness ,von
 ,dorf & our fri5d ,burke4  ,= a mom5t !
 two wom5 fairly gl>$ at ea* o!r4  ,i've
 he>d :at ,pr(essor ,k5n$y j said1 cri$ 
! ,b>oness1 h] eyes snapp+ fire4        
,=tunately1 ,i _h to g to ,wa%+ton & 0  
able to protect myself by seem+ to      
disappe>4 ,if ,i _h /ay$ 9 ,new ,york   
ano!r day1 !re is no tell+ :at might h  
happ5$ to me4 ,probably ,i %\ld h got   
?is disease int]nally in/ead (          
ext]nally4 ,z x 01 ,i ?\ght x w\ld come 
ne> ru9+ my beauty4  ,burke toss$ a     
yell[ slip ( pap] on ! table ne> ,k5n$y4
 ,t is some?+ "o ( our special ag5ts    
f\nd & br\ght me today1 he exclaim$4    
,k5n$y pick$ x up & read x1 :ile ,burke 
fac$ u4  ,! ,secret ,s]vice man fix$ 8  
eyes on ,madame ,dupres4 ,z = y1 my de> 
lady1 he *all5g$1 h[ d y happ5 to be 9  
,new ,york ) "o ( ! greate/ int]national
 crooks t ev] tr\bl$ ! police ( five    
cont95ts8  ,i--9 ,new ,york8 %e %rugg$  

coolly4 ,monte ,c>lo1 ,p>is1 ,vi5na1    
,london--all 7 dead4 ,i _h to come "h to
 make a liv+4  ,! ,b>oness drew h]self  
up z if to speak4  ,y sc\ndrel--y w give
 my ap>tm5t a bad "n ) y\r dirty cattle 
plague--w y6 gr\nd out a voice h>%ly at 
my side4  ,i turn$ quickly4 ,ames _h    
clut*$ ,haynes by ! ?roat4 ,we 7 all on 
our feet 9 a mom5t1 b !re 0 no ne$ (    
sep>at+ !m4 ,! vet]9>y 0 m ?an a mat* = 
! hot-head$ little lawy]4  ,someone1 %ot
 out ,k5n$y1 :eel+ quickly1 figur$ t !  
cattle deal c\ld be br\ght ab\t q       
naturally if ,delaney 7 dead & !        
,b>oness out ( ! way4 ,lat] he c\ld reap
 ! pr(it & c>ry (f ,madame ,dupres into 
! b>ga94 ,& if any?+ 7 ev] discov]$1 :at
 m natural ?an to ?r[ ! suspicion on a  
vet]9>y :o 0 suppos$ to "k all ab\t     
an?rax8  ,j !n a half circle ( nickl$   
/eel gleam$ mom5t>ily 9 ,k5n$y's h&s4 ,i
 recogniz$ x z a pair ( ! new h&cuffs t 
uncoil$ automatically1 gripp+ at a m]e  
t\*4  ,i saw x all 9 a fla%1 z ,i pick$ 
up ! pap] t ,burke _h toss$ to ,k5n$y4  

,x 0 a telegram1 & read3       ,a4 ,a41 
,! ,new ,/ratfield1 ,wa%+ton4           
,return imm$iately4 ,coron] has ,craig  
,k5n$y on case4      ,d4 ,d4  ,x 0 a    
devili% s*eme1 snapp$ ,k5n$y1 z !       
h&cuffs circl$ ! fake lawy]'s wri/s1 b x
 didn't "w1 ,ames4     ,,*apt] ,,xvi    
,,! ,,sleepmak]   ,p]haps race-horses   
may be a little out ( y\r l9e1 ,mr4     
,k5n$y1 b ,i ?9k y w f9d ! case         
suffici5tly int]e/+ to w>rant y 9 tak+ x
 up4  ,our visitor 0 a "y man1 "o ( !   
mo/ c>efully groom$ & correctly dress$  
,i h ev] met4 ,8 c>d told u t we 7      
honor$ by a visit f ,montague           
,broadhur/1 a not$ society :ip1 :o _h   
lavi%$ _m ?\s&s ( doll>s on 8 rac+-/able
 out on ,long ,isl&4  ,y see1 he w5t on 
hurri$ly1 !re h be5 a good _m /range ?+s
 t h happ5$ to my horses lately4 ,he    
paus$ a mom5t1 !n cont9u$3 ,!y h be5    
los+ consi/5tly4 ,take my favorite1     
,lady ,lee1 = in/ance4  ,d y ?9k !y h   
be5 dop$8 ask$ ,k5n$y quickly1 eag] to  
get d[n to ! po9t at issue1 = ,i _h nev]

 kn[n ,craig to be int]e/$ 9 rac+4  ,i  
don't "k1 repli$ ! "y millionaire1 draw+
 8 eyelids toge!r reflectively4 ,i've _h
 ! be/ vet]9>y 9 ! c\ntry to look my    
/able ov]1 & ev5 he c't seem to f9d a ?+
 t's wrong4  ,p]haps a visit out !re    
might %[ u some?+1 cut 9 ,k5n$y1 z ?\gh 
he 7 r favorably impress$1 aft] all1 by 
! novelty ( ! case4  ,broadhur/'s face  
bright5$4  ,!n y w take x up--y are     
int]e/$8 he qu]i$1 add+1 ,my c> is      
outside4  ,i'm int]e/$ 9 any?+ t        
promises a new exp]i5ce1 return$ ,craig1
 & ,i ?9k ?is affair may be ( t sort4   
,broadhur/'s /able 0 out on c5tral ,long
 ,isl&1 n f> f ! pretty & fa%ionable t[n
 ( ,nor?bury4 ,z we pass$ d[n ! ma9     
/reet1 ,i c\ld see t ,broadhur/ 0 easily
 ! mo/ popul> ( ! weal?y resid5ts ( !   
neighborhood4 ,9 fact1 ! ,broadhur/ rac+
 /ables 7 a sort ( local indu/ry1 "o ( !
 %[-places ( ,nor?bury4  ,z we swung out
 aga9 into ! c\ntry1 we c\ld see ahead (
 u "s /able-boys work+ out sev]al f9e   
?or\ghbr$s on ,broadhur/'s private      

track1 :ile a gr\p ( grooms & rubb]s    
wat*$ !m4  ,! /able itself 0 a circul>  
affair ( frame1 pa9t$ d>k r$1 :i*       
contra/$ %>ply ) ! gre5 ( ! e>ly summ]  
trees4 ,broadhur/'s c> pull$ up be=e a  
l>ge (fice & l\ng+-room at "o end1 above
 :i* ,mur*ie1 8 manag] & tra9]1 _h 8    
suite ( rooms4  ,! (fice into :i*       
,broadhur/ l$ u 0 decid$ly horsey4 ,ab\t
 ! place 7 h&somely m\nt$ saddles1      
bridles1 & :ips1 m = exhibition ?an =   
use4 ,9 velvet-l9$ cases 7 scores (     
glitt]+ bits4 ,all ! appo9tm5ts 7       
brass-m\nt$4 ,sport+ pr9ts1 trophies1 & 
,mission easy *airs made ! room mo/     
attractive4  ,be=e a desk sat ,mur*ie4  
,z ,i look$ at him1 ,i ?\ght t he _h a  
cruel expression ab\t 8 eyes1 a pr$atory
 m\? & *94 ,he rose quickly at ! sight (
 ,broadhur/4  ,mur*ie1 ,i w\ld l to h y 
meet my fri5ds1 ,mr4 ,k5n$y & ,mr4      
,jameson1 introduc$ ,broadhur/4 ,!y are 
v mu* int]e/$ 9 horses1 & ,i want y to  
%[ !m ab\t ! place & let !m see ev]y?+4 
,we *att$ a mom5t1 & !n w5t out to look 

at ! horses4  ,9 ! c5t] ( ! circul> gr\p
 ( /alls 0 a lawn4 ,! /alls ( ! rac]s 9 
tra9+ 7 l>ge box /alls4  ,y h c]ta9ly   
tra9$ a great horse 9 ,lady ,lee1 rem>k$
 ,k5n$y casually1 z we made our way     
ar\nd ! r+ ( /alls4  ,mur*ie look$ up at
 him quickly4  ,until ! la/ few races1  
,i ?\ght s1 he repli$1 /opp+ be=e ! /all
 ( ! fam\s rac] & op5+ ! door4  ,lady   
,lee 0 a spl5did ?ree-ye>-old bay1 a    
quiv]+1 s5sitive1 high-/rung animal4    
,mur*ie look$ at h] a mom5t1 !n at u4   
,a horse1 y "k1 he said reflectively1 is
 j z ambiti\s to w9 a race z y are to w9
 success1 b mu/ h h>d tra9+4 ,i keep    
horses 9 tra9+ eight or n9e mon?s out ( 
! ye>4 ,i get !m into %ape 9 ! e>ly spr+
 & am v c>eful :at !y eat4 ,if !y get a 
vacation1 !y may eat gre5 foods1 c>rots1
 & grass 9 op5 field2 b :5 we prep>e !m 
= ! r+ or a race1 !y mu/ h gra91 bran1 &
 s(t foods4 ,!y mu/ h c>eful groom+ to  
put ! coats 9 fir/-class condition1 mu/ 
be kept exquisitely clean1 ) ! be/      
v5tilation4  ,h[ ab\t ex]cise8 ask$     

,k5n$y4  ,well1 repli$ ,mur*ie1 ,i "w   
out horses accord+ to age1 ) ! di/ance =
 fa/ "w gradually increas$4  ,our trip  
?r\gh ! wond]ful /able ov]1 we return$  
to ! (fice1 ,mur*ie walk+ ahead )       
,broadhur/4 ,z we rea*$ ! door1         
,broadhur/ turn$ to u4  ,i hope y w     
p>don me1 he said1 b !re is "s bus9ess  
up at ! h\se t ,i mu/ att5d to4  ,oh1   
,mr4 ,broadhur/1 int]ject$ ,mur*ie1 be=e
 y g back to t[n1 ,i want to talk ov] ) 
y "s ( ! *anges t ought to be made ab\t 
! boys "h1 z well z _! food & qu>t]s4   
,all "r1 return$ ,broadhur/2 jump into !
 c> & ride ) me4 ,we c talk on ! way1 & 
y c come "r back4 ,i'll pick y g5tlem5  
up lat]4  ,k5n$y nodd$1 quick to p]ceive
 ! cue t ,broadhur/ _h giv5 him to wat* 
! /ables )\t ,mur*ie wat*+ u4  ,we sat  
d[n 9 ! (fice1 & ,i look$ ab\t at !     
sup]b fitt+s4  ,d y ?9k x is possible = 
an own] to make a f9ancial success (    
rac+ )\t bett+8 ,i ask$ ,k5n$y4         
,possible1 b highly improbable1 return$ 
,craig4 ,i believe !y consid] t !y h an 

excell5t ye> :5ev] !y cle> exp5ses4 ,i  
don't "k ab\t ,broadhur/1 b ,i believe t
 a good _m own]s don't bet on _! horses4
 ,!y h se5 ! gl>+ crook$ness ( ! ?+1    
especially if !y h happ5$ to be (fic]s (
 jockey clubs or /ew>ds ( v>i\s         
race-meets4 ,p]sonally1 ,i %\ld ?9k a   
man ( ,broadhur/'s /amp w\ld n p]mit    
himself to be made a victim ( ! lee*es (
 ! turf--al?\gh he may wag] a bit1 j to 
give ze/ to ! race4 ,am]ican rac+ has   
(t5 be5 call$ a purely gambl+ affair1 & 
,i ?9k1 be=e we get ?r\gh1 t we %all see
 ! reason = mu* ( ! public opposition to
 x4  ,j !n a small man ent]$ ! (fice1 &1
 see+ u1 ask$ = ,mr4 ,mur*ie4 ,8 face 0 
p9*$ & ?94 ,he wore ! late/ cut ( clo!s1
 b 0 s v slight t 8 g>m5ts hung loosely 
on him4 ,"o c\ld well imag9e t he _h    
tri$ all sorts ( s*emes to keep himself 
d[n t[>d ! hundr$-&-t5-or-twelve-p\nd   
m>k4 ,he 0 ! v type ( jockey4 ,he       
introduc$ himself to u z ,danny ,mc,gee1
 & ,i recogniz$ at once ! fam\s         
tw5ty-five-?\s&-doll>-a-ye> rid]1 :o _h 

s (t5 successfully def5d$ ! ,broadhur/  
colors4  ,mr4 ,mur*ie has gone up to !  
h\se1 repli$ ,k5n$y to 8 inquiry4       
,mc,gee look$ u ov] a m9ute4  ,fri5ds ( 
88 he ask$1 9 a confid5tial tone4 ,k5n$y
 smil$4  ,( ,mr4 ,broadhur/'s1 he said  
quietly4  ,!re 0 a noticeable *ange 9   
,mc,gee's mann]4  ,j out "h to look !   
/able ov]1 w5t on ,k5n$y2 a wond]ful    
place4  ,yes2 we ?9k s1 ass5t$ ,mc,gee4 
,x seems /range1 v5tur$ ,k5n$y1 t1 ) all
 ?is c>e1 ,lady ,lee %\ld n be keep+ up 
to h] record4  ,mc,gee glanc$ at u      
ke5ly4  ,i don't und]/& x myself1 he    
said4 ,i suppose lots ( p mu/ ?9k x is !
 fault ( ! jockey1 b ,i h c]ta9ly e>n$  
my sal>y lately ) t filly4 ,i don't "k  
:at's ! matt]4 ,i've done ! be/ ,i c1 b 
9 spite ( x !re's some?+ wrong4  ,he    
spoke ) an air ( g5u9e worry1 &1 al?\gh 
,i tri$ h>d1 ,i mu/ confess t ,i f\nd x 
impossible to fa?om him4  ,! filly1 he  
add$1 has h] regul> "w-out & ! regul>   
fe$1 & yet %e seems to be all tir$ out  
mo/ ( ! "t4 ,ev5 ! vet]9>ies c't seem to

 f9d out :at's ! matt]4  ,an awkw>d     
sil5ce foll[$1 dur+ :i* bo? ,k5n$y &    
myself endeavor$ to conceal our         
ignorance ( horses by say+ no?+ ab\t !m4
 ,f9ally ,mc,gee rose & excus$ himself1 
say+ t he w\ld be back soon4  ,!re 7    
/ill a few m9utes be=e ,mur*ie w\ld be  
likely to return4 ,)\t say+ a ^w1 ,k5n$y
 rose & op5$ ! door :i* l$ into ! /able4
 ,across ! lawn 9 ! c5t] we c\ld see a  
man's figure rapidly retreat+ ?r\gh !   
ma9 entrance1 &1 someh[ or o!r1 ,i felt 
t at ! s\nd ( ! op5+ ( our door he ha/5$
 8 pace4  ,k5n$y walk$ quickly ar\nd !  
circle ( box /alls until he came aga9 to
 ,lady ,lee4 ,he ent]$ ! /all & look$ ! 
fam\s rac] ov] c>efully4 ,i 0 wond]+    
:at1 if any?+1 he expect$ to f9d1 :51   
almo/ be=e ,i knew x1 ,i saw him jab a  
little hypod]mic ne$le into h] neck &   
)draw a few drops ( blood4  ,lady ,lee  
re>$ & snort$1 b ,k5n$y manag$ to quiet 
h]4 ,he return$ ! hypod]mic1 ) ^! few   
drops ( blood1 c>efully into its case   
aga91 & we made our way back to ! (fice4

  ,a few m9utes lat]1 ! drone (         
,broadhur/'s c> told u t ,mur*ie _h     
return$4 ,we resum$ ! talk ab\t horses1 
up/airs 9 ,mur*ie's own ap>tm5t1 :i*    
consi/$ ( liv+-rooms1 a libr>y1 & ba?4  
,x 0 a luxuri\sly appo9t$ place1 9 keep+
 ) ! ta/es ( its occupant4 ,we sat d[n 9
 ! libr>y4  ,i 0 q int]e/$ 9 look+ ab\t 
me4 ,= "o ?+1 ,mur*ie's idea ( art seem$
 to be a curi\s bl5d+ ( horse & woman4  
,!re 7 pictures ( all ! /r+ ( ,broadhur/
 w9n]s1 int]sp]s$ ) ,v5uses & actresses4
  ,on a little table ,i notic$1 at l5g?1
 a color$ photograph 9 an oval gilt     
frame4 ,x 0 ( a v beautiful girl4 ,%e 0 
some?+ ov] m$ium height1 ) a f9e figure1
 gold5 hair1 & deep-blue eyes4 ,someh[1 
,i recall$ t ,i _h se5 t face be=e1 & :5
 ,i caught ,k5n$y look+ at x f "t to "t1
 ,i 0 c]ta9 ( x4  ,sudd5ly x fla%$ ov]  
me t ! picture _h be5 publi%$ 9 ! ,/>4  
,x 0 ,cecilie ,saf=d4 ,i rememb]$ hav+  
read ( ,mur*ie's escapades1 "o ( :i* 0 8
 elopem5t ) a pretty "y /5ograph] :om he
 _h met at ! horse %[ a c\ple ( ye>s    

be=e4  ,! talk ran along ab\t horses    
/ill1 b ,i notic$ t ,k5n$y 0 ev5 m      
int]e/$ 9 ,mur*ie's pictures1 n[1 ?an 9 
8 conv]sation4 ,9 ! place ( honor1 ov] !
 mantel1 hung a portrait1 9 an arti/ic  
panel1 ( a sl5d] girl ) d>k hair & hazel
 eyes1 ) a s(t1 swanlike ?roat & neck1 &
 a some:at imp]i\s mann] ( c>ry+ h]     
head4  ,i foll[$ ,craig's glance across 
! room4 ,!re1 9 a frame ^u ! wall 9 a   
corn]1 hung an enl>gem5t ( a gr\p       
photograph4 ,x 0 ( a middle-ag$ woman1 a
 little boy1 & a little girl4 ,!n ,i    
rememb]$ ! :ole /ory4  ,at ! "t ( 8     
elopem5t1 ,mur*ie _h a wife liv+4 ,s9ce 
!n he _h be5 divorc$4 ,al?\gh he _h     
promis$ to m>ry ,cecilie :5 ! divorce 0 
obta9$1 he 0 n[ engag$ to m>ry a weal?y 
girl1 ,amelie ,gu]nsey4  ,broadhur/     
return$ %ortly = u1 & we made ano!r t\r 
( ! /able1 on ! outside1 includ+ !      
qu>t]s ( ! innum]able employees4        
,f9ally1 at a h9t f ,k5n$y t we _h se5  
en\gh = ! pres5t1 ,broadhur/ motor$ back
 to ! city ) u4     ,,*apt] ,,xvii  ,,! 

,,int]-,,urban ,,h&icap   ,t night1     
in/ead ( go+ to ! laboratory1 we walk$  
d[n ,broadway until we came to a hotel  
mu* frequ5t$ by ! sport+ frat]nity4  ,we
 ent]$ ! re/aurant1 :i* 0 "o ( ! mo/    
brilliant 9 ! :ite-light region1 took a 
seat at a table1 & ,k5n$y proce$$ to    
+ratiate himself ) ! wait]1 &1 f9ally1 )
 ! head wait]4 ,at la/1 ,i saw :y ,k5n$y
 0 app>5tly wa/+ s mu* "t ov] d9n]4  ,d 
y happ5 to "k t girl1 ,cecilie ,saf=d1 t
 ,broadhur/'s tra9]1 ,mur*ie1 elop$ )8  
he ask$4  ,! head wait] nodd$4  ,i us$  
to "k h]1 he repli$4 ,%e us$ to come 9  
"h a good deal1 b y won't f9d h] 9 !    
,broadway places any m ^! days4 ,%e's m 
likely to be ov] on ,eigh? ,av5ue4 ,he  
m5tion$ ! "n ( a cab>et saloon4  ,k5n$y 
paid ! *eck & aga9 we />t$ out4 ,we     
f9ally ent]$ a place1 d[n 9 a basem5t1 &
 once m ,k5n$y began to quiz ! wait]4   
,?is "t he _h no tr\ble4 ,across ! room1
 ! wait] po9t$ to a girl1 seat$ ) a "y  
fell[ at a r\nd table4 ,i c\ld sc>cely  
believe :at ,i saw4 ,! face _h ! same   

features z t ( ! photograph 9 ! oval    
gilt frame 9 ,mur*ie's ap>tm5t1 b x 0 n 
! same face4  ,z ,i /udi$ h]1 ,i c\ld   
imag9e h] /ory )\t ev5 he>+ x4 ,! mon?s 
( wait+ = ,mur*ie to m>ry h] & 8 call\s 
refusal _h be5 h] ru94 ,cecilie _h le>n$
 to dr9k1 & f t _h gone to drugs4  ,h]  
mirror mu/ h told h] t %e 0 n ! same    
girl :o _h elop$ ) ,mur*ie4 ,h] figure  
_h lo/ its slim1 beautiful l9es4 ,h]    
features 7 bloat$4 ,h] eyes 7 small]1 & 
h] lips 7 heavy4 ,h] fre% color _h      
disappe>$4 ,%e _h a gray1 pa/y look4    
,all %e _h--h] beauty--_h vani%$4       
,mur*ie _h be5 divorc$1 & 0 ab\t to     
m>ry--b n ,cecilie4 ,x 0 to a "y &      
lovely girl1 ) su* a face ( innoc5ce z  
,cecilie _h :5 ,mur*ie _h fir/ dictat$ a
 lett] to h] 9 ! (fice at ! horse %[1 & 
_h fasc9at$ h] ) 8 glitt]+ talk ( weal? 
& ease4 ,! news ( 8 engagem5t _h driv5  
h] frantic4  ,curi\sly en\gh1 ! "y fell[
 ) h] did n seem to be dissipat$ 9 !    
lea/4 ,!re 01 on ! contr>y1 an e>ne/ness
 ab\t him t "o 0 r sorry to see 9 su* a 

place4 ,9 fact1 he 0 a clean-cut "y man1
 evid5tly m ( a /ud5t ?an a sport4 ,he  
rem9d$ me ( "s "o ,i _h se5 be=e4  ,i 0 
gett+ r int]e/$ 9 an und]world cab>et   
:51 sudd5ly1 ,k5n$y grasp$ my arm4 ,at !
 same mom5t1 a %ot 0 fir$4  ,we jump$ to
 our feet 9 "t to see a "y t\gh1 ) a    
sl\* l t ( ! rubb]s & grooms at         
,broadhur/'s4 ,! fell[ :o _h be5 seat$ )
 ,cecilie 0 /ruggl+ ) him = ! possession
 ( a pi/ol1 :i* _h be5 dis*>g$          
h>mlessly4 ,evid5tly ! t\gh _h be5      
?reat5+ him ) x4  ,! wait]s cr[d$ ar\nd 
!m1 & ! g5]al melee ab\t ,cecilie's     
table 0 at its height :5 a policeman    
came da%+ 9 on ! run4  ,! arre/ ( !     
gunman & 8 oppon5t1 z well z ( ,cecilie 
z a witness1 seem$ imm95t4 ,k5n$y mov$  
=w>d sl[ly1 work+ 8 way ?r\gh ! cr[d1   
ne>] to ! table4 ,in/ead ( int]f]+1     
h[ev]1 he /oop$ d[n & pick$ up some?+ f 
! floor4  ,let's get out ( ?is z quickly
 z possible1 ,walt]1 he :isp]$1 turn+ to
 me4  ,:5 we rea*$ ! /reet1 he /opp$ "u 
an arc-light1 & ,i saw him dive d[n into

 8 pocket & pull out a little glass     
vial4 ,he look$ at x curi\sly4  ,i saw  
h] take x out ( h] pocketbook & ?r[ x   
into a corn] z soon z ! policeman came  
91 he expla9$4  ,:at d y ?9k x is8 ,i   
ask$4 ,dope8 ,t's :at !y all d if !y get
 a *ance :5 !y are p9*$--?r[ x away4    
,p]haps1 answ]$ ,k5n$y4 ,b x's wor?     
/udy+ to see :at drug %e is really us+4 
,late z x 01 ,craig insi/$ on go+       
directly to ! laboratory to plunge into 
"w4 ,fir/1 he took ! little hypod]mic   
ne$le ) :i* he _h drawn sev]al drops (  
blood f ! race-horse1 & empti$ ! cont5ts
 into a te/ tube4  ,f9d+ t ,i 0 probably
 ( m use at home 9 our ap>tm5t asleep   
?an bo!r+ ,k5n$y 9 ! laboratory1 ,i said
 good-night4 ,b :5 ,i awoke 9 ! morn+1  
,i f\nd t ,k5n$y _h n be5 9 b$ at all4  
,x 0 z ,i expect$4 ,he _h work$ all     
night1 &1 z ,i ent]$ ! laboratory1 ,i   
saw him engag$ 9 *eck+ up two s]ies (   
te/s :i* he _h be5 mak+4  ,h y f\nd     
any?+ yet8 ,i ask$4  ,he po9t$ to a     
corn] :]e he kept a c\ple ( gu9ea-pigs4 

,!y 7 s\nd asleep1 roll$ up 9 little    
fluffy balls ( d[n4 ,ord9>ily1 9 !      
morn+1 ,i f\nd ! little fell[s v frisky4
  ,yes1 he said2 ,i ?9k ,i h f\nd       
some?+4 ,i h inject$ j a drop ( blood f 
,lady ,lee into "o ( !m1 & ,i ?9k he's  
good = a long sleep4  ,b h[ ab\t ! o!r  
"o8 ,i ask$4  ,t's :at puzzles me1      
rum9at$ ,k5n$y4 ,d y rememb] t bottle ,i
 pick$ up la/ night8 ,i hav5't f9i%$ !  
analysis ( ! blood or ( ! cont5ts ( !   
bottle1 b !y seem to conta9 at lea/ "s (
 ! same sub/ances4 ,among ! ?+s ,i f9d  
are monopotassium phosphate & s>colactic
 acid1 ) j a trace ( c>bon dioxide4 ,i  
inject$ "s ( ! liquid f ! bottle into ! 
o!r fell[1 & y see :at ! effect is--!   
same 9 bo? cases4  ,! telephone bell    
rang excit$ly4  ,is !re a ,mr4 ,k5n$y   
!re8 ask$ ,long ,di/ance1 add+1 )\t     
wait+ = an answ]1 ,hold ! wire1 please4 
,i h&$ ! receiv] to ,k5n$y4 ,!          
conv]sation 0 %ort1 & z he hung up !    
receiv]1 ,craig turn$ to me4  ,x 0      
,broadhur/ at ! ,idlewild ,hotel1 he    

said quickly4 ,today is ! day ( ! great 
,int]urban ,h&icap at ,belmore ,p>k )   
/akes ( tw5ty-five ?\s& doll>s4 ,usually
 !y take ! horse ov] to ! track at lea/ 
a week or two be=e ! race1 b z          
,broadhur/'s /able is s ne>1 he didn't d
 x--hop+ he might keep a bett] wat* ov] 
,lady ,lee4 ,b %e's no bett]4 ,if !     
horse is be+ tamp]$ )1 he wants to "k :o
 is do+ x & h[4  ,k5n$y paus$ a mom5t1  
!n w5t ov] to a cab9et & took f x a     
bottle & a v l>ge-siz$ hypod]mic4  ,we  
mu/ h be5 among ! fir/ on ! field at    
,belmore ,p>k t day4 ,lady ,lee _h be5  
s5t ov] !re aft] we left ,nor?bury ! day
 be=e1 "u ! c>e ( ,mur*ie & ,mc,gee1 &  
_h be5 /abl$ 9 ! qu>t]s on ! track :i*  
_h be5 assign$ to ,broadhur/4  ,)       
,broadhur/1 :o 0 wait+ = u1 we l\ng$    
across ! field 9 ! direction ( ! /ables4
 ,!re 0 no d\bt ab\t x1 ,lady ,lee 0 n 9
 prime condition4 ,x 0 n t !re 0 any?+  
m>k$ly wrong1 b to ! tra9$ obs]v] !     
fam\s race-horse seem$ to lack j a      
trifle ( ! elan :i* meant a w94  ,:ile  

,mur*ie & ! jockey 7 talk+ outside to   
,broadhur/1 ,k5n$y slipp$ into ! /all to
 look at ! rac]4  ,/& ov] by t side ( ! 
door1 ,walt]1 he mutt]$4 ,i'll be ?r\gh 
9 j a m9ute4 ,i want y to act z a cov]4 
,quickly he jabb$ ! hypod]mic into !    
horse & press$ d[n ! plung]4  ,lady ,lee
 re>$ & snort$ z %e _h done be=e :5 he  
extract$ ! blood1 & in/antly ,mur*ie &  
,mc,gee 7 cr[d+ pa/ me4 ,b ! in/ant _h  
be5 long en\gh = ,k5n$y4 ,he _h dropp$ !
 hypod]mic into 8 pocket & 0 endeavor+  
to soo! ! horse4  ,i guess %e's n v mu* 
us$ to /rang]s1 he rem>k$ coolly4 ,no "o
 ?\ght any m ( x1 app>5tly4  ,a few     
m9utes lat]1 ,broadhur/ rejo9$ ,k5n$y & 
myself4 ,i c\ld see t 8 face %[$ pla9ly 
he 0 greatly worri$4  ,i don't und]/& x1
 he kept repeat+4 ,& :at is worse1 !    
news seems to h leak$ out t ,lady ,lee  
isn't fit4 ,! odds are go+ up4  ,k5n$y  
look$ at him fix$ly a mom5t4  ,if y want
 to w9 ?is race1 ,mr4 ,broadhur/1 he    
rem>k$ 9 a l[ tone1 ,i %\ld advise y to 
wat* ,lady ,lee e m9ute f n[ until !    

/>t4  ,:at d y mean8 :isp]$ ,broadhur/  
ho>sely4  ,i c't say yet--only wat*4    
,:ile ,broadhur/ & ,k5n$y hov]$ ab\t !  
/all on "o pretext or ano!r1 wat*+ bo?  
,mur*ie & ,mc,gee z !y direct$ ! rubb]s 
& o!rs :o 7 prep>+ = ! race1 ,i wat*$ ! 
tra9] & ! jockey m9utely4 ,!y c]ta9ly   
did no?+1 at lea/ n[1 to excite         
suspicion4 ,b might n ! h>m h already   
be5 done8 ,0 x too late8  ,:5 ! bell    
s\nd$ ! paddock call1 ,mc,gee l$ ! rac] 
out ( ! /all & to ! paddock4 ,pres5tly !
 field1 ,lady ,lee at ! =e1 walk$ pa/ ! 
gr&/& & cant]$ sl[ly d[n ! c\rse to !   
/>t+-po/4  ,mean:ile1 foll[+ ,broadhur/1
 we _h already made our way ov] to !    
club-h\se enclosure4  ,x 0 n l ! old    
days :5 !re 0 money ev]y:]e1 ?\s&s (    
doll>s 9 pla9 sight1 9 ! ca%-boxes ( !  
bookmak]s1 :5 m5 ru%$ wildly ab\t )     
h&fuls ( bills ( l>ge d5om9ation & bets 
7 made ) frequ5t rapidity4 ,& yet !re 0 
/ill a c]ta9 mael/rom ( ! bett+-r+ left2
 b ! bookmak]s _h to c>ry ev]y?+ 9 _!   
heads in/ead ( sett+ x d[n on pap]4 ,i  

knew ! sy/em1 & knew t1 9 spite ( !     
app>5t ease ) :i* x seem$ possible to   
beat x1 wel%+ 0 almo/ unhe>d (4  ,!     
gr&/& 0 cr[d$1 al?\gh x 0 q a diff]5t   
cr[d f t at race meets ( =m] times & on 
o!r tracks4 ,belmore ,p>k lay )9 motor+ 
di/ance ( ! greate/ aggregation ( weal? 
& fa%ion 9 ! c\ntry4 ,x 0 a wond]ful    
?rong4 ,! gay dresses ( ! wom5 m+l$     
kaleidoscopically ) ! m somb] clo?+ ( ! 
m54  ,e eye 9 t sea ( mov+ humanity     
seem$ to be rivet$ on ,lady ,lee & h]   
rid]4 ,x 0 a pretty good example ( h[   
swiftly inside news at ! race-track may 
become public prop]ty4 ,ill news1 on ?is
 occasion1 seem$ to h travel$ apace4    
,field-glasses 7 level$ at ! horse :i*  
%\ld h be5 ! favorite1 & "o c\ld tell1  
by ! buzz ( conv]sation1 t ?is race 0 ! 
great ev5t ( ! season4 ,z ! jockeys     
maneuv]$ = position1 "o c\ld almo/ feel 
t "s wond]ful feats ( memory 7 be+ p]=m$
 by ! bookmak]s4 ,! odds1 dur+ ! morn+1 
_h gradually l5g!n$ aga9/ ,lady ,lee4   
,l all ?or\ghbr$s1 ,lady ,lee _h a mo/  

delicate organism1 & ! good rid]1 9 su* 
a case1 0 ! "o :o und]/ood 8 m\nt4      
,mc,gee _h1 9 ! pa/ at lea/1 t          
reputation4 ,he _h rea*$ pretty ne> !   
top ( 8 pr(ession by kn[+ h[ to deal )  
horses ( all types4 ,all ?is & m ,i _h  
pick$ up f ! gossip ( ! track4  ,! b>ri]
 0 sprung & ! flag dropp$4 ,!y 7 (f6 ,! 
gr&/& rose 9 a body4  ,= a mom5t1 x     
seem$ to me t ,mc,gee _h lo/ 8 n]ve4    
,al]tness at ! po/ is an important      
factor4 ,he _h n got away f ! b>ri]     
ahead ( ! field4 ,ano!r rid]1 too1 _h   
got ! rail1 & h5ce ! %orte/ r\te4 ,i    
wond]$ :e!r1 aft] all1 t _h be5 ! tr\ble
 all along1 = no?+ c w9 or lose a race  
quick] or bett] ?an ^? little failures (
 ! jockey himself4  ,lady ,lee1 ,i _h   
he>d x said1 0 "o ( ^? horses t d n     
require urg+1 b g to ! front naturally4 
,j n[1 x did n seem t %e 0 beat51 b t %e
 lack$ j ! p[] to lead ! field4 ,did    
,mc,gee figure t ! horses ahead ( him 7 
sett+ su* a fa/ clip t !y w\ld drop back
 to him be=e ! race 0 ov]8  ,clev]ly1   

h[ev]1 he avoid$ be+ pocket$1 z ^? ahead
 ( & beside him tri$ to close 9 & make  
him pull up4  ,ar\nd !y w5t until !     
horses look$ to ! nak$ eye l toys /rung 
on wires4 ,only ! t5sion ( ! cr[d made  
"o feel t ?is 0 no play2 x 0 deadly     
s]i\s sport4 ,on !y sp$1 wat*$ 9 a lull 
( dea?ly /illness4 ,surely1 ,i felt1 ?is
 0 inde$ a great sight--?is acid te/ ( !
 n]ves ( m5 & animals pitt$ aga9/ "o    
ano!r4  ,!y 7 com+ into ! /ret* n[6     
,sudd5ly1 x seem$ t1 by "s telepa?ic    
connection1 bo? ! horse & ! rid] caught 
! electric t5sion :i* sway$ u 9 !       
club-h\se enclosure4  ,i myself 0 c>ri$ 
away by ! fr5zi$ _s ( ! race4 ,broadhur/
 0 lean+ =w>d1 oblivi\s ( ev]y?+ else 9 
! _w1 /ra9+ 8 eyes ?r\gh a field-glass4 
,mur*ie 0 wat*+ ! race ) a sup]cili\s   
air1 :i* ,i knew 0 cle>ly assum$4  ,on  
!y came6  ,i c\ld n help wond]+ :e!r    
,mc,gee _h n really plann$ to ?r[ !     
race4 ,w\ld he1 p]haps at ! la/ mom5t1  
lose 8 n]ve8  ,lady ,lee sudd5ly %ot    
?r\gh ! field4 ,a mighty %\t rose f !   

entire gr&/&4  ,x 0 ov] 9 a matt] (     
seconds4 ,%e _h f9i%$ fir/ by a         
half-l5g?6 ,%e _h won ! classic & ! ri* 
/akes4  ,p&emonium seem$ to reign 9 !   
club-h\se inclosure4 ,broadhur/ slapp$  
,mur*ie ov] ! back ) a bl[ (            
congratulation t almo/ fell$ him4 ,z =  
,mc,gee1 !y ne>ly c>ri$ him (f ! field  
on _! %\ld]s4 ,only ,k5n$y seem$ to be  
calm4 ,! race _h be5 won--b _h ! problem
 be5 solv$8  ,broadhur/ seem$ to h      
=gott5 all ab\t 8 previ\s appeal to     
,k5n$y 9 ! unexpect$ joy ( w9n+4  ,we   
paus$ a:ile to wat* ! frantic cr[d1 &   
once1 ,i recall1 ,i caught sight ( a    
/unn+1 d>k-hair$ woman grasp+ ,mur*ie's 
bo? h&s 9 an ec/asy ( joy4 ,in/antly ,i 
recogniz$ ,amelie ,gu]nsey4  ,z ,k5n$y &
 ,i motor$ back to ! city alone1 he 0   
sil5t mo/ ( ! way4 ,only once did he    
make a rem>k4  ,! ,belmore ,inn1 he     
said1 z we pass$ a r *eap road-h\se "s  
di/ance f ! track4 ,t's :]e ,i he>d "o (
 ! rubb]s say ! =m] ,mrs4 ,mur*ie 0     
liv+4  ,t night1 ,craig plung$ back aga9

 into "w 9 ! laboratory1 & ,i1 hav+ no?+
 else to d1 wrote a feature /ory ( !    
great race = ! ,/>4  ,k5n$y made up = ! 
re/ he _h lo/ & ! /ra9 ( ! day by a long
 sleep2 b e>ly 9 ! morn+ ! telephone    
bell rang insi/5tly4 ,k5n$y b\nd$ out ( 
b$ to answ] x4  ,i c\ld ga!r no?+ f !   
monosyllables :i* he utt]$1 except t !  
matt] "u discussion 0 pr(\ndly s]i\s4   
,f9ally1 he jamm$ d[n ! receiv]4  ,good 
,god1 ,walt]1 he exclaim$1 ,mur*ie's be5
 murd]$6     ,,*apt] ,,xviii  ,,! ,,tox9
 ,,( ,,fatigue   ,he gave me no "t =    
que/ions1 & ,i _h no ability to         
recon/ruct my own !ory ( ! case z we    
hu/l$ into our clo!s to cat* ! e>ly     
morn+ tra94  ,broadhur/ is at !         
,idlewild ,hotel1 ,k5n$y said1 z we left
 ! ap>tm5t1 & ,i ?9k we c make x quick] 
by railway ?an by motor4  ,! turfman met
 u at ! /ation4  ,tell me j :at happ5$1 
ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,no "o seems to und]/& j  
:at x 01 ,broadhur/ expla9$1 b1 z ne>ly 
z ,i rememb]1 ,mur*ie 0 ! lion ( !      
,idlewild grillroom all ! ev5+4 ,he _h  

'come back4' ,once1 ,i recall1 he 0     
pag$1 & ! boy told him someone 0 wait+  
outside4 ,he w5t out1 & return$1        
consid]ably flu%$ & excit$4  ',by       
,george1' he said1 'a man nev] raises 8 
head above ! cr[d b t !re's somebody !re
 to take a crack at x6 ,!re mu/ h be5 "s
 crank outside1 = be=e ,i c\ld get a    
look 9 ! d>k1 ,i 0 seiz$4 ,i manag$ to  
get away4 ,i got a little scrat* ) a    
knife or a p91 ?\gh1' he said1 dabb+ at 
a cut on 8 neck4  ,:at !n8 prompt$      
,k5n$y4  ,none ( u paid mu* att5tion to 
x1 resum$ ,broadhur/1 until j z ano!r   
toa/ 0 propos$ to ,lady ,lee & someone  
sugge/$ t ,mur*ie respond to x1 we turn$
 to f9d him huddl$ up 9 8 *air1         
absolutely unconsci\s4 ,! h\se physician
 c\ld f9d no?+ wrong app>5tly--9 fact1  
said x 0 entirely a case ( he>t failure4
 ,i don't ?9k any ( u w\ld "q 8 op9ion  
if x _h n be5 = ,mur*ie's peculi>       
actions :5 he came back to ! room t "t4 
,mur*ie's body _h be5 remov$ to ! local 
und]tak+ e/abli%m5t4 ,z ,broadhur/ drove

 up !re & we ent]$1 ,k5n$y seem$ int]e/$
 only 9 ! little jab & a sort ( swell+  
^u ! neck ( ! dead man4 ,quickly he made
 a little incision beside x1 & ab\t t5  
or a doz5 drops ( :at look$ l blood-s]um
 ooz$ out on a piece ( gauze :i* ,craig 
held4  ,z we turn$ to leave !           
und]tak]'s1 a /rik+1 d>k-hair$ girl1 ) !
 color gone f h] *eeks1 hurri$ pa/ u &  
fell on h] knees beside ,mur*ie's body4 
,x 0 ! woman :o _h congratulat$ him !   
day be=e1 ! woman ( ! panel--,amelie    
,gu]nsey4  ,i _h n notic$1 up to ?is    
po9t1 ano!r woman :o 0 /&+ ap>t 9 !     
cr[d1 b n[ ,i happ5$ to cat* h] eye4 ,x 
0 ! woman ^: picture ) ! two *ildr5 hung
 9 ,mur*ie's ap>tm5t4 ,k5n$y drew me    
back into ! cr[d1 & !re we wat*$ !      
/range trag$y ( ! wife t 0 & ! wife t 0 
to h be54  ,craig hurri$ back to ! city 
aft] t1 &1 z we pu%$ our way up ! ramp f
 ! /ation1 he look$ ha/ily at 8 wat*4   
,walt]1 he said1 ,i want y to locate    
,cecilie ,saf=d & let me "k at !        
laboratory ! mom5t y f9d h]4 ,& p]haps x

 w\ld be well to />t at ! police /ation4
  ,x seem$ to me z ?\gh ! girl :om we _h
 f\nd s easily ! ev5+ be=e _h n[ utt]ly 
disappe>$4 ,at ! police /ation %e _h n  
be5 held1 b _h giv5 an address :i* _h   
prov$ fictiti\s4 ,at ! cab>et saloon no 
"o _h se5 h] s9ce ! incid5t ( ! fight4  
,z ,i left ! place1 ,i ran into         
,donovan1 ( ! ,t5d]lo9 squad1 & put !   
case to him4 ,he m]ely laugh$4  ,( c\rse
 ,i c\ld f9d h] any "t ,i want$ to1 he  
said4 ,i knew t 0 a fake address4  ,he  
gave me ! real address1 & ,i hurri$ to !
 ne>e/ telephone to call up ,craig4  ,h 
,donovan br+ h] ov] "h z soon z he c f9d
 h]1 he call$ back4  ,:5 ,i arriv$ at ! 
laboratory1 ,i f\nd ,k5n$y engross$ 9 8 
te/s4  ,h y f\nd any?+ def9ite8 ,i ask$ 
anxi\sly4  ,he nodd$1 b w\ld say no?+4  
,i've telephon$ ,broadhur/1 he rem>k$1 a
 mom5t lat]4 ,y rememb] t ! =m] ,mrs4   
,mur*ie 0 at ,belmore ,inn4 ,i h ask$   
him to /op & get h] on ! way d[n "h 9 ! 
c> ) ,mc,gee1 & to get ,amelie ,gu]nsey 
at ! ,idlewild1 too4 ,he cont9u$ to "w4 

,&1 oh yes1 he add$3 ,i h ask$          
,inspector ,o',connor to take up ano!r  
l9e1 too4  ,x 0 a /range ga!r+ t        
assembl$ t =5oon4 ,donovan arriv$ soon  
aft] ,i did1 & ) him1 sure en\gh1 0     
,cecilie ,saf=d4 ,a few mom5ts lat]     
,broadhur/'s c> swung up to ! door1 &   
,broadhur/ ent]$1 accompani$ by ,amelie 
,gu]nsey4 ,mc,gee foll[$1 ) ! =m] ,mrs4 
,mur*ie4  ,i don't want ano!r job l t1  
:isp]$ ,broadhur/ to ,k5n$y4 ,i'm ne>ly 
froz54 ,nei!r ( ^? wom5 has spok5 a ^w  
s9ce we />t$4  ,y c h>dly blame !m1     
return$ ,k5n$y4  ,mrs4 ,mur*ie 0 /ill a 
h&some woman4 ,%e n[ c>ri$ h]self ) an  
air ( assum$ dignity4 ,amelie ,gu]nsey  
_h rega9$ h] color 9 ! excitem5t ( !    
ride & 01 if any?+1 m beautiful ?an ev]4
 ,b1 z ,broadhur/ intimat$1 "o c\ld     
almo/ feel ! frigidity ( ! atmosph]e z !
 ?ree wom5 :o _h play$ su* dramatic p>ts
 9 ,mur*ie's life sat !re1 try+ to wat* 
&1 at ! same "t1 avoid ea* o!r's gaze4  
,! susp5se 0 reliev$ :5 ,o',connor came 
9 9 a dep>tm5t c>4 ,) him 7 ! "y man :o 

_h be5 seat$ ) ,cecilie at ! table !    
night ( ! fight & also ! gunman4  ,!    
magi/rate 9 ! night c\rt settl$ ! case t
 night1 in=m$ ,o',connor1 "u 8 brea?1   
lay+ d[n two slips ( pap] be=e ,k5n$y1 b
 ,i h _! p$igrees4 ,t fell['s "n is     
,ronald ,mawson1 he said1 po9t+ to      
,cecilie's companion1 !n indicat+ !     
gunman1 ,t's ,frank ,giani--,frank !    
,wop4  ,i wat*$ ,mawson & ,cecilie      
closely1 b c\ld discov] no?+4 ,!y       
sc>cely look$ at ea* o!r4  ,mc,gee1     
h[ev]1 gl>$ at bo? ,mawson & ! gunman1  
?\gh none ( !m said a ^w4  ,!y us$ to be
 out !re z /able-boys at ,broadhur/'s1  
,i he>d ,o',connor cont9ue1 9 a :isp]4  
,i ?9k !y _h a run-9 & 7 fir$4 ,ea* says
 ! o!r got him 9 wrong4  ,a mom5t lat]  
,k5n$y began3  ,:5 y came to my         
laboratory ! o!r day1 ,mr4 ,broadhur/1  
he said1 y rem>k$ t p]haps ?is case     
might be a little out ( my l9e1 b t ,i  
might f9d x suffici5tly int]e/+4 ,i c   
assure y t ,i h n only f\nd x int]e/+1 b
 a/\nd+4 ,i h seldom _h ! privilege (   

unravel+ a my/]y :i* 0 s clev]ly rigg$ &
 9 :i* !re are s _m cross-curr5ts (     
human passion4  ,!n y ?9k ,lady ,lee 0  
dop$8 ask$ ,broadhur/4  ,dop$8 int]ject$
 ,mc,gee quickly4 ,:y1 ,mr4 ,broadhur/1 
y rememb] :at ! vet]9>y said4 ,he       
c\ldn't f9d any signs ( h]o9 or any o!r 
dope !y use4  ,t's ! devili% +5uity ( x 
all1 %ot out ,k5n$y sudd5ly1 hold+ up a 
little beak] 9 :i* !re 0 "s colorless   
fluid4 ,i am m]ely go+ to %[ y n[ :at c 
be done by ! use ( "o ( ! late/         
discov]ies ( physiological *emi/ry4  ,he
 took a syr+e &1 draw+ back ! plung]1   
fill$ x ) ! liquid4 ,) a slight jab (   
coca9e to make ! little op]ation        
absolutely pa9less1 he inject$ ! fluid  
into ! liveli] ( our two gu9ea-pigs4    
,:ile y & ,mur*ie 7 abs5t ! fir/ day t  
,i w5t out to y\r /able1 ,i succe$$ 9   
draw+ (f "s ( ! blood ( ,lady ,lee1     
,craig resum$1 talk+ to ,broadhur/4 ,"h1
 9 my laboratory1 ,i h /udi$ x4 ,lady   
,lee1 t day1 _h _h no m ?an ! ord9>y    
am\nt ( ex]cise1 yet %e 0 completely    

fagg$4  ,by ?is "t ! little gu9ea-pig _h
 become m & m li/less & 0 n[ curl$ up 9 
a corn] s\nd asleep4  ,i h _h to "w v   
hurri$ly ?is morn+1 ,craig cont9u$1 b x 
has only be5 cov]+ gr\nd ov] :i* ,i h   
already gone4 ,i 0 already /udy+ a      
peculi> tox94 ,& f ! fluid ,i obta9$ f  
,mur*ie's body1 ,i h be5 able to        
calculate t a deadly dose ( t same      
p[]ful poison kill$ him4  ,k5n$y plung$ 
directly f ?is />tl+ revelation into 8  
pro(4  ,p]haps y h he>d ( ! fam\s ,g]man
 sci5ti/1 ,wei*>dt1 ( ,b]l91 he resum$1 
& 8 rem>kable inve/igations into ! tox9 
( fatigue4 ,sci5ti/s def9e fatigue z ! m
 or less complete loss ( ! p[] ( muscles
 to respond to /imulation due to _!     
normal activity4 ,an int]val ( re/ is   
usually en\gh to br+ ab\t _! return to  
"s degree ( p[]4 ,b = complete return to
 normal condition1 a long int]val may be
 necess>y4  ,z ! result ( *emical *anges
 :i* occur 9 a muscle f contraction1    
c]ta9 sub/ances are =m$ :i* depress or  
inhibit ! p[] ( contraction4 ,extracts  

made f ! fatigu$ muscles ( "o frog1 =   
in/ance1 :5 inject$ into ! circulation (
 ano!r frog br+ on an appe>ance (       
fatigue 9 ! latt]4 ,extracts f unfatigu$
 muscles give no su* results4 ,m ?an t1 
! production ( ?is tox9 ( fatigue by !  
ex]cise ( "o set ( muscles1 su* z ^? ( !
 legs 9 walk+1 greatly dim9i%es ! am\nt 
( "w obta9able f o!r unus$ muscles1 su* 
z ^? ( ! arms4  ,k5n$y w5t on1 look+ at 
! sleep+ gu9ea-pig r ?an at u3  ,wei*>dt
 has isolat$ f fatigu$ muscles a true   
tox9 ( a *emical & physical nature1 l ! 
bact]ial tox9s1 :i*1 :5 introduc$ into !
 blood1 gives rise to ! ph5om5a (       
fatigue4 ,?is is ! tox9 (               
fatigue--k5otox94 ,^? :o h /udi$ !      
subject h f\nd at lea/ ?ree fatigue     
sub/ances--free s>colactic acid1 c>bon  
dioxide1 & monopotassium phosphate1 :i* 
is s p[]ful t1 aft] ! injection (       
"o-fifte5? ( a gram1 ! poison$ muscle   
%[s signs ( fatigue & is sc>cely able to
 lift a weight easily lift$ 9 normal    
conditions4 ,o!r fatigue products may be

 discov]$2 b1 if pres5t 9 l>ge quantity 
or 9 small quantity = a long "t1 ea* ( !
 sub/ances ,i h nam$ w cause depression 
or fatigue ( muscles4  ,fur!r ?an t1    
cont9u$ ,k5n$y1 ! depress+ influ5ce ( ^!
 sub/ances on :at is kn[n z /riat$      
muscle--he>t muscle--is well kn[n4 ,!   
physician at ! ,idlewild might v well h 
mi/ak5 ! cause ( ! relaxation (         
,mur*ie's he>t4 ,= ,g]man inve/igators h
 also f\nd t ! tox9 ( fatigue1 :5       
inject$ into ! circulation ( a fre%     
animal1 may n only br+ on fatigue b may 
ev5 cause dea?--z x did f9ally "h4      
,k5n$y paus$4 ,lady ,lee1 he said1 look+
 f "o to ! o!r ( 8 audi5ce ke5ly1 ,lady 
,lee 0 ! fir/ victim ( ! fi5di% cunn+ ( 
?is--  ,a %rill voice int]rupt$4  ,b    
,lady ,lee won ! race6  ,x 0 ,mc,gee1 ! 
jockey4 ,k5n$y look$ at him a mom5t1 !n 
tapp$ ano!r beak] on ! table be=e him4  
,wei*>dt has also obta9$1 by ! usual    
me?ods1 he repli$1 an antitox9 ) ! p[] (
 neutraliz+ ! fatigue prop]ties ( !     
tox94 ,y ?\ght ,lady ,lee 0 n fri5dly ) 

/rang]s t morn+ at ! track4 ,%e 0 n1 :5 
! /rang] jabb$ a ne$le into h] neck &   
pump$ an extra l>ge dose ( ! antitox9 ( 
fatigue into h] j 9 "t to neutralize1   
be=e ! race1 ! long s]ies ( injections (
 fatigue tox94  ,k5n$y 0 n[ travel+     
rapidly t[>d ! po9t :i* he _h 9 view4   
,he drew f 8 pocket ! little bottle :i* 
he _h pick$ up t night 9 ! cab>et       
saloon4  ,"o ^w m1 he said1 z he held up
 ! bottle & fac$ ,cecilie ,saf=d1 :o 0  
n[ trembl+ l a leaf ready to fall3 ,if  
"o ) %att]$ n]ves 7 unable to sleep1 c y
 imag9e :at w\ld be a mo/ ideal         
s$ative--especially if to take almo/ any
 o!r drug w\ld be m]ely to sub/itute t  
habit = ano!r8  ,he wait$ a mom5t1 !n   
answ]$ 8 own "q4  ,naturally1 he        
proce$$1 x might be1 !oretically at     
lea/1 a small dose ( ^? products (      
fatigue by :i* nature h]self br+s on    
sleep4 ,i am n go+ into ! !ory ( ! ?+4  
,! fact t y _h su* a ?+ is all t int]e/s
 me4  ,i wat*$ ! girl's eyes z !y 7     
rivet$ on ,k5n$y4 ,%e seem$ to be       

fasc9at$1 horrifi$4  ,?is bottle conta9s
 a weak solution ( ! tox9 ( fatigue1    
p]si/$ ,k5n$y4  ,i ?\ght %e w\ld break  
d[n1 b1 by a mighty ef=t1 %e kept h]    
composure & said no?+4  ,someone 0 try+ 
to discr$it & ru9 ,mur*ie by mak+ !     
horses he tra9$ lose races--somebody ^: 
life & happ9ess ,mur*ie himself _h      
already ru9$4  ,t p]son1 pursu$ ,k5n$y  
rel5tlessly1 0 defeat$ 9 ! attempt to   
discr$it ,mur*ie :51 by my injection ( !
 antitox91 ,lady ,lee f9ally did w94 ,9 
t p]son's m9d1 ,mur*ie1 n ! horse1 _h   
won4  ,! wild excitem5t ov] ,mur*ie's   
v9dication drove t p]son to desp]ation4 
,!re 0 only "o m road to rev5ge4 ,x 0 to
 wait until ,mur*ie himself c\ld be     
easily ov]p[]$1 :5 an ov]:elm+ dose (   
?is fatigue tox9 c\ld be %ot into him--!
 weapon t _h fail$ on ! horses turn$ on 
himself4 ,besides1 no "o--n ev5 ! mo/   
exp]t physician or *emi/--w\ld ev]      
suspect t ,mur*ie's dea? 0 n natural4   
,t--t bottle is m9e--m9e6 %\t$ a wild   
voice int]rupt+4 ,i took x--,i us$      

x--,i--  ,j a mom5t1 ,miss ,saf=d1      
entreat$ ,k5n$y4 ,t p]son1 he rapp$ out 
%>ply1 pick+ up ! p$igrees ,o',connor _h
 h&$ him1 t p]son gave ! tox9 to a poor 
dope fi5d z a sleep+-potion 9 "o /r5g?1 
gave x to ,lady ,lee 9 /ill ano!r /r5g?1
 & to ,mur*ie 9 its mo/ fatal /r5g?4 ,x 
0 ! poor & unkn[n ph>maci/ describ$ 9   
?is p$igree ^: dream ( happ9ess ,mur*ie 
%att]$ :5 he captivat$ ,cecilie         
,saf=d--h] des]t$ lov]1 ,ronald ,mawson4
     ,,*apt] ,,xix  ,,! ,x-,,ray        
,,detective   ,i want to consult y1     
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 ab\t a mo/ baffl+ case
 ( sudd5 dea? "u suspici\s circum/ances4
 ,bly! is my "n--,dr4 ,bly!4  ,our      
visitor spoke delib]ately1 )\t ! lea/   
p]turbation ( mann]1 yet "o c\ld see t  
he 0 a physician :o only z a la/ resort 
w\ld appeal to outside aid4  ,:at is !  
case1 ,doctor8 qu]i$ ,craig4  ,! ,doctor
 cle>$ 8 ?roat4 ,x is ( a v pretty "y   
art /ud5t1 ,rhoda ,flem+1 :o return$ to 
,new ,york f ,france %ortly aft] !      
outbreak ( ! w> & op5$ a /udio 9 ! ,new 

,/udio ,ap>tm5ts on ,p>k ,av5ue1 n f> f 
my (fice1 began ,dr4 ,bly!1 paus+ z if  
to set d[n accurately e feature ( ! case
 hi/ory ( a pati5t4  ,yes1 prompt$      
,craig4  ,ab\t a week ago1 ! ,doctor    
resum$1 ,i 0 call$ to att5d ,miss       
,flem+4 ,i ?9k ! call came f h] maid1   
,leila1 b ,i am n sure4 ,%e _h sudd5ly  
be5 tak5 ill ab\t an h\r aft] d9n]4 ,%e 
0 cyanotic1 _h a rapid pulse1 & nausea4 
,by means ( /imulants ,i succe$$ 9 br++ 
h] ar\nd1 h[ev]1 & %e recov]$4 ,x look$ 
l acute ga/ritis4  ,b la/ night1 at ab\t
 ! same "t1 ,i 0 call$ aga9 to see !    
same girl4 ,%e 0 9 an ev5 m s]i\s       
condition1 ) all ! =m] symptoms         
magnifi$1 unconsci\s1 & suff]+ sev]e    
pa9s 9 ! abdom9al region4 ,h] temp]ature
 0 #ajc4 ,app>5tly !re _h be5 too great 
a delay1 = %e di$ 9 spite ( ev]y?+ ,i   
c\ld d )\t rega9+ consci\sness4  ,k5n$y 
reg>d$ ! ,doctor's face po9t$ly4 ,did ! 
necropsy %[ t %e 0--er--  ,no1 int]rupt$
 ! ,doctor1 cat*+ 8 glance4 ,%e 0 n ab\t
 to become a "m4 ,& ,i d\bt ! suicide   

!ory1 too4 ,he paus$ & !n aft] a mom5t's
 consid]ation1 add$ delib]ately1 ,:5 %e 
recov]$ f ! fir/ attack %e seem$ to h a 
horror ( dea? & c\ld (f] no explanation 
( h] sudd5 illness4  ,b :at o!r reason  
c\ld !re h be5 = h] condition8 p]si/$   
,k5n$y1 det]m9$ to glean all he c\ld ( !
 ,doctor's p]sonal impressions4  ,dr4   
,bly! hesitat$ aga91 z if consid]+ a    
po9t 9 m$ical e?ics1 !n sudd5ly seem$ to
 all[ himself to gr[ confid5tial4 ,i'm v
 mu* int]e/$ 9 art myself1 ,pr(essor1 he
 expla9$4 ,i suppose y h he>d ( ! fam\s 
',fete du ,pr9temps1' by ,watteau8      
,k5n$y nodd$ vaguely4  ,! orig9al1 y "k1
 ,dr4 ,bly! w5t on hurri$ly1 hung 9 !   
*ateau ( ! ,comtesse de la ,fonta9e 9 ! 
,=e/ ( ,compiegne1 & 0 imm5sely         
valuable--oh--wor? probably a hundr$    
?\s& doll>s or m4  ,a mom5t lat] ,dr4   
,bly! lean$ ov] ) ill-suppress$         
excitem5t4 ,aft] ,i br\ght h] ar\nd !   
fir/ "t %e confid$ to me t x _h be5     
entru/$ to h] by ! ,comtesse =          
safe-keep+ dur+ ! w>1 t %e _h tak5 x    

fir/ to ,london1 b fe>+ x w\ld n be safe
 ev5 !re1 _h br\ght x to ,new ,york4    
,h'm1 mus$ ,k5n$y1 t is inde$ /range4   
,:at's y\r !ory1 !n1--f\l play8  ,dr4   
,bly! look$ f ,k5n$y to me1 !n said     
sl[ly1 ,yes--b we c't f9d a trace (     
poison4 ,dr4 ,leslie--! ,coron]--,i     
believe y "k him--& ,i c f9d no?+1 9    
fact4 ,x is mo/ incompreh5sible4  ,i    
notic$ t ,k5n$y 0 wat*+ ,dr4 ,bly! r    
ke5ly &1 someh[1 ,i fell to try+ to     
fa?om bo? 8 /ory & himself1 )\t1 ,i     
confess1 any result4  ,i %\ld l to look 
h] ap>tm5t ov]1 rem>k$ ,craig )         
alacrity1 ne$+ no second invitation to  
take up a my/]y t already promis$ _m    
surprises4  ,! ,new ,/udio ,ap>tm5ts 7 9
 a huge twelve-/ory ornate ,r5aissance  
affair on upp] ,p>k ,av5ue1 an example (
 ! rapidly increas+ co-op]ative idea :i*
 ! impractical arti/ic temp]am5t has    
prov$ s\ndly practical4  ,x 0 really a  
/udio build+1 too1 design$ = ^? arti/s  
:o pref]r$ luxury & conv5i5ce to ! m    
romantic atmosph]e ( ! ,alley--:i* is ! 

way ! initiat$ ref] to ! mews back (    
,wa%+ton ,squ>e1 kn[n z ,macd\gal's     
,alley1 fam\s 9 fact & fiction4  ,rhoda 
,flem+'s 0 a mo/ attractively arrang$   
suite1 ) a l>ge /udio comm&+ ! nor?     
light & hav+ a ceil+ twice z high z !   
ord9>y room1 :i* all[$ ( ! o!r rooms    
be+1 z x 71 on two floors1 s9ce _!      
ceil+s 7 ( ord9>y height4 ,on e side1 z 
we ent]$1 we c\ld see works ( art 9     
ta/eful pr(usion4  ,s9ce ! removal ( !  
body ( ! beautiful b un=tunate "y art   
/ud5t1 no "o _h be5 left !re1 except !  
maid1 ,leila4 ,leila 0 h]self a v pretty
 girl1 "o ( ^? :o ne$ nei!r f9e clo!s   
nor exp5sive jewels to attract att5tion4
 ,9 fact %e _h nei!r4 ,i notic$ t %e 0  
neatly & ta/efully dress$1 h[ev]1 & wore
 a pla9 gold b& on ! r+ f+] ( h] left   
h&4 ,%e seem$ to be he>tbrok5 ov] ! dea?
 ( h] mi/ress1 b h[ mu* ( x 0 g5u9e1 ,i 
c\ld n say1 ?\gh ,i am frank to admit t 
ev5 be=e ,i saw h] ,i _h det]m9$ t %e 0 
wor? wat*+4  ,%[ me j h[ y discov]$     
,miss ,flem+1 ask$ ,k5n$y ( ,dr4 ,bly!1 

gett+ d[n to "w imm$iately4  ,:y1 he    
repli$1 :5 ,i got "h %e 0 ly+ half      
across t divan1 z if %e _h fall5 !re1   
fa9t+4 ,ea* "t a little table _h be5 set
 = a light d9n] & ! d9n] _h be5 eat54 ,!
 rema9s 7 on ! table4 ,&1 ,bly! add$    
significantly1 ea* "t !re 0 a place set 
= ano!r p]son4 ,t p]son 0 gone4  ,k5n$y 
_h turn$ inquir+ly to ,leila4  ,i 0     
engag$ only = ! day1 %e answ]$ mode/ly4 
,ev5+s :5 ,mademoiselle _h a little p>ty
 %e w\ld (t5 pay me extra to come back  
aga9 & clean up4 ,%e lik$ to prep>e     
little *af+-di% d9n]s--b dislik$ !      
clean+4  ,dr4 ,bly! nodd$ significantly1
 z ?\gh t acc\nt$ = ! reason :y x _h    
seem$ to be ,leila :o _h call$ him 9 bo?
 times4  ,k5n$y & ,i _h f\nd ! little   
pantry closet 9 ! kit*5ette :]e ! maid  
kept ! few h\sekeep+ ut5sils4 ,he took a
 ha/y inv5tory ( ! sl5d] /ock1 among    
:i*1 = "s reason1 ,i not$ a bottle ( a  
well-kn[n br& ( meat sauce1 "o ( ^?     
d>k-color$ appetiz]s1 ) a heavy1        
burnt-gra9 odor4  ,craig's next move 0  

to ransack ! little escritoire 9 ! corn]
 ( ! /udio room itself4 ,t 0 ! "w ( b a 
few mom5ts & result$ 9 8 f9d+ a packet (
 lett]s 9 ! s+le draw]4  ,he glanc$ ov] 
!m ha/ily4 ,sev]al ( an intimately      
p]sonal nature 7 sign$1 ,arnold ,fab]4  
,fab]1 ,i knew1 0 a "y art collector1 v 
weal?y & some?+ m ?an a m]e dilettante4 
,o!r lett]s 7 ( bus9ess deal+s )        
well-kn[n ,fif? ,av5ue art gall]ies (   
,pi]re ,jacot  ,cie41 q natural 9 view (
 ,miss ,flem+'s long resid5ce 9 ,france4
  ,! lett]s _h sc>cely be5 replac$ :5 ! 
door ( ! /udio op5$ & ,i caught sight ( 
a ta/efully g[n$ "y woman1 q app>5tly a 
=eign] acclimat$ to ,new ,york4  ,oh1 ,i
 beg p>don1 %e apologiz$4 ,i he>d voices
 & ?\ght p]haps x 0 "s ( ,rhoda's       
relatives f ! ,we/ & t ,i c\ld d some?+4
  ,good-ev5+1 ,miss ,t\rville1 greet$   
,dr4 ,bly!1 :o 0 evid5tly well-kn[n to  
?is colony ( arti/s4 ,a mom5t lat] he   
introduc$ u1 ,?is1 by ! way1 is ,miss   
,rita ,t\rville1 an intimate fri5d (    
,miss ,flem+1 :o has ! /udio above4  ,we

 b[$1 ex*ang$ ! conv5tional rem>ks t su*
 a trag$y made necess>y1 & ,rita        
,t\rville excus$ h]self4 ,someh[ or o!r1
 h[ev]1 ,i c\ld n resi/ ! impression t  
%e _h come 9 purposely to see :at 0 go+ 
on4  ,on our way out1 aft] promis+ ,dr4 
,bly! to meet him lat] 9 ! night at !   
(fice ( ! ,coron]1 ,k5n$y1 in/ead ( go+ 
directly to ! /reet1 desc5d$ to !       
basem5t ( ! ap>tm5t & s\ght ! janitor1  
:o liv$ !re4  ,i'd l v mu* to see !     
rubbi% t has come d[n f ,miss ,flem+'s  
ap>tm5t1 he ask$1 slipp+ into !         
janitor's h& a l>ge silv] co94  ,x's all
 mix$ up ) rubbi% f all ! ap>tm5ts on t 
side ( ! h\se1 repli$ ! janitor1        
indicat+ a bulg+ burlap bag4  ,miss     
,t\rville's1 also8 qu]ies ,craig4  ,!   
janitor nodd$ ass5t4  ,k5n$y surely     
obta9$ 8 money's wor? ( junk z ! janitor
 spread ! cont5ts ( ! bag on ! cell>    
floor4 ,) 8 walk+ /ick he paw$ ov] x    
m9utely1 n[ & !n /oop+ to exam9e some?+ 
m or less c>efully4 ,he _h gone ?r\gh   
some:at m ?an half ( ! rubbi% t _h come 

f ! ap>tm5ts :5 he came ^u :at look$ l !
 brok5 rema9s ( a little "o-ounce       
d>k-color$1 labelless bottle4  ,k5n$y   
pick$ x up & sniff$ at x4 ,he said no?+1
 b ,i saw 8 br[ knit ) ?\ght4 ,a mom5t  
lat] he wrapp$ x 9 a piece ( tissue     
pap]1 ?ank$ ! janitor1 & we m\nt$ !     
cell> /eps to ! /reet4  ,i ?9k ,i'll try
 to see ,fab] tonight1 he rem>k$ z we   
walk$ d[n ! av5ue4 ,x w d no h>m at any 
rate4  ,=tunately1 we f\nd ! "y         
millionaire art connoisseur at home1 9 a
 big h\se :i* he _h inh]it$ f 8 fa!r1 on
 ,madison ,av5ue1 9 ! ,murray ,hill     
section4  ,! dea? ( ,miss ,flem+ has    
completely upset me1 he confess$ aft] we
 _h introduc$ ourselves )\t tell+ too   
mu*4 ,y see1 ,i 0 q well acqua9t$ ) h]4 
,k5n$y said no?+1 b ,i c\ld feel t he 0 
long+ to ask que/ions lead+ up to :e!r  
,fab] _h be5 ! my/]i\s d9] 9 ! ,flem+   
,/udio ! night be=e4  ,i suppose y are  
acqua9t$ ) ,watteau's ',fete du         
,pr9temps'8 %ot out ,craig1 aft] a few  
inconsequ5tial que/ions1 wat*+ ,fab]'s  

face furtively4  ,inde$ ,i am1 repli$ ! 
"y man1 app>5tly n disconc]t$ 9 ! lea/4 
,! fact 0 t he seem$ q will+1 ev5 eag]  
to discuss ! pa9t+4 ,i c\ld n make x    
out1 unless x might be t any subject 0  
less pa9ful ?an ! sudd5 dea? ( ,miss    
,flem+4  ,yes1 he cont9u$ volunt>ily1 ,i
 suppose y "k x repres5ts a gr\p (      
danc]s4 ,! c5tral figure ( ! gr\p1 z    
ev]yone believes1 is reput$ to be !     
passionate & jeal\s ,madame de          
,montespan1 :om ! beautiful ,madame de  
,ma9t5on replac$ 9 ! affections ( ,l\is 
,,xiv4  ,:y1 no "o ?9ks ( ,watteau1 ) 8 
delightful da9t9ess & _m graceful       
figures on su* ma/]fully dispos$        
backgr\nds z a portrait pa9t]4 ,b !     
,fete %[s1 ,i h always cont5d$1 t he    
drew on _m real faces = 8 *>act]s4 ,yes1
 he c\ld pa9t portraits1 too1 wond]fully
 m9ute & exact little m9iatures4  ,fab] 
_h ris5 z he disc\rs$4 ,i h a copy ( x1 
he add$1 lead+ ! way into 8 own private 
gall]y1 :ile ,craig & ,i foll[$ him )\t 
comm5t4  ,we gaz$ long & int5tly at !   

face ( ! c5tral figure4 ,small ?\gh x 01
 x 0 a /udy 9 itself1 a puzzle1         
di/ract+1 enigmatical4 ,!re 0 a h>d1    
cruel s5su\sness ab\t ! beautiful m\?   
:i* ! pa9t] seem$ to h captur$ & fix$   
b5ea? ! v oils4 ,mask$ clev]ly 9 ! pa9t$
 p5etrat+ d>k eyes 0 a sort ( cunn+ :i*1
 comb9$ ) ! ravi%+ curves ( ! *eeks &   
*91 transfix$ ! obs]v]4  ,some?+ 9 !    
face rem9d$ me ( a face ,i _h once se54 
,x 0 n exactly ,rita's face1 b x _h a   
c]ta9 quality t recall$ x4 ,i fanci$ t  
!re 0 9 bo? ! liv+ & ! pa9t$ face a     
jeal\sy t w\ld brook no rivalry1 t w\ld 
d>e all = ! object ( its love4  ,fab]   
saw t we _h caught ! _s ( ! portrait1 & 
seem$ highly gratifi$4  ,:at crimes a   
man might commit "u ! spell ( a woman l 
t6 exclaim$ ,craig1 notic+ 8            
gratification4 ,by ! way1 d y "k t ,miss
 ,flem+ 0 said to h _h ! orig9al--& t x 
is gone8  ,fab] look$ f "o to ! o!r ( u 
)\t mov+ a muscle ( 8 face4  ,:y1 yes1  
he repli$ /eadily4 ,i c\ld n make out   
:e!r he _h expect$ & be5 prep>$ = ! "q  

or n4 ,at any rate he add$1 half s]i\s1 
half smil+1 ,ev5 = h] portrait someone 0
 ready to risk ev5 life & honor to      
kidnap h]6  ,evid5tly 9 8 ardor he      
p]sonifi$ ! picture1 felt t ! ?ief mu/ h
 be5 mov$ by :at ! psy*ologi/s call an  
imp]ative idea = ! m]e possession ( su* 
a treasure4  ,/ill1 ,craig rem>k$ dryly1
 ! w&]+s ( ! lo/ ,du*ess by ,ga9sbor\gh 
= a qu>t] ( a c5tury /uff$ into a t9    
tube1 to say no?+ ( ! f9al sordid end+ (
 ! capture ( ,mona ,lisa1 might argue a 
devotion among art ?ieves a bit %ort (  
infatuation4 ,i ?9k we'll f9d ?is lady1 
too1 to be held = ransom1 n = love4     
,fab] said no?+4 ,he 0 evid5tly wait+ = 
,k5n$y to proce$4  ,i may photograph y\r
 copy ( ! ,fete8 qu]i$ ,craig f9ally1 s 
z to use x 9 id5tify+ ! real "o8        
,surely1 repli$ ! collector4 ,i h no    
objection4 ,if ,i %\ld happ5 to be out  
:5 y came1 ,i'll leave ^w ) my man to   
let y g ahead4  ,j !n ! telephone rang &
 ,fab] rea*$ = x be=e we c\ld ?ank him &
 say good-night4  ,hello--oh1 ,miss     

,t\rville1 h[ d y d8 ,:y--er--yes--yes1 
,i'm li/5+4  ,!y *att$ = sev]al m9utes1 
,fab] answ]+ mo/ly 9 monosyllables4     
,p]haps x 0 my imag9ation1 b ,i ?\ght ! 
conv]sation1 at lea/ at 8 end ( ! l9e1  
con/ra9$4 ,z he hung up ! receiv]1 ,i   
fanci$1 too1 t ,fab] seem$ to look on u 
) a sort ( suspicion4 ,:at 0 8          
connection ) ,rita1 ,i wond]$8 ,:at _h  
,rita told him8  ,a mom5t lat] we _h    
said good-by & _h ga9$ ! /reet1 ,k5n$y  
/ill mak+ no comm5t on ! case4  ,!re's  
no?+ m t we c d tonight1 rem>k$ ,craig1 
look+ at 8 wat* f9ally z we walk$ along4
 ,let u g ov] to ! ,city ,laboratory &  
see ,dr4 ,leslie1 z ,i promis$ ,bly!4   
,,*apt] ,,xx  ,,! ,,me*anical           
,,connoisseur   ,dr4 ,leslie1 ! ,coron]1
 0 an old fri5d ( ours ) :om we _h      
co-op]at$ 9 sev]al cases4 ,:5 we rea*$ 8
 (fice we f\nd ,dr4 ,bly! !re already1  
wait+ = u4  ,h y f\nd any?+ yet8 ask$   
,dr4 ,bly! ) :at ,i felt 0 j a trace (  
pr(essional pique at ! fact t nei!r     
physician _h be5 able to %$ any light on

 ! case s f>4  ,i c't say--yet1 respond$
 ,craig1 n notic+ ,bly!'s mann]1 z f !  
piece ( tissue pap] 9 :i* he _h wrapp$  
!m he produc$ ! brok5 bits ( bottle4    
,c>efully he wa%$ (f ! jagg$ pieces1 z  
?\gh p]haps "s ( ! liquid ! bottle _h   
conta9$ might h adh]$ to ! glass4  ,i   
suppose y h animals "h = exp]im5t8 he   
ask$ ( ,leslie4  ,! ,coron] nodd$4      
,*ick5s8 ask$ ,craig ) a broad smile at 
! d\ble mean+4  ,a ,leghorn roo/]1      
return$ ,dr4 ,leslie ) a laugh4         
,good--br+ him on1 repli$ ,craig        
briskly4  ,quickly ,k5n$y %ot a small   
quantity ( ! liquid he _h obta9$ by wa%+
 ! bits ( glass into ! ve9s ( ! :ite    
,leghorn4 ,!n he releas$ ! roo/]1 flapp+
 ab\t4  ,9 a corn] *anticle] /ood1 pre5+
 8 fea!rs & re/or+ 8 ruffl$ dignity1    
:ile we comp>$ op9ions4  ,look6 exclaim$
 ,k5n$y a few m9utes lat]1 :5 we _h     
almo/ =gott5 ! roo/]4  ,8 bright r$ comb
 0 n[ :iti%4 ,z we wat*$1 a mom5t lat] x
 turn$ d>k blue4 ,o!rwise1 h[ev]1 he    
seem$ unaffect$4  ,:at is x8 ,i ask$ 9  

amazem5t1 turn+ to ,craig4  ,ergot1 ,i  
?9k1 he repli$ t]sely4 ,at lea/ t is "o 
te/ = its pres5ce4  ,ergot6 repeat$ ,dr4
 ,leslie1 rea*+ = a book on a %elf above
 him4 ,turn+ ! pages hurri$ly1 he read1 
,!re has be5 no exp]i5ce 9 ! sep>ation (
 ! con/itu5ts ( ergot f ! organs ( !    
body4 ,an attempt might be made by !    
,drag5dorff process1 b success is       
d\btful4  ,drag5dorff f\nd x s1 at any  
rate1 put 9 ,dr4 ,bly! positively4      
,runn+ 8 f+]s ov] ! backs ( ! o!r books1
 ,dr4 ,leslie select$ ano!r4 ,x is      
practically impossible1 he read1 to     
sep>ate ergot f ! tissues s z to id5tify
 x4  ,absolutely1 ass]t$ ,dr4 ,bly!     
quickly4  ,i look$ f "o physician to !  
o!r4 ,0 ?is ! safe poison at la/8       
,k5n$y said no?+ & ,i fell to wond]+ :y1
 too1 ,dr4 ,bly! 0 s positive4 ,0 x     
m]ely to v9dicate 8 pr(essional pride at
 ! failure he & ! ,coron] _h _h s f> ) !
 case8  ,i suppose y h no objection to  
my tak+ "s ( ?is sample ( ! cont5ts ( ! 
organs ( h] body1 h y8 ask$ ,craig at   

l5g? ( ,dr4 ,leslie4  ,none 9 ! _w1     
repli$ ! ,coron]4  ,k5n$y p\r$ out "s ( 
! liquid into a bottle1 cork$ x         
c>efully1 & we /ood = a few mom5ts long]
 *att+ ov] ! developm5ts1 or r lack (   
developm5ts ( ! case4  ,x 0 late :5 we  
return$ to our ap>tm5t1 b ! foll[+ morn+
 ,k5n$y 0 up long be=e ,i 04 ,i knew    
en\gh ( him1 h[ev]1 to "k t ,i w\ld f9d 
him at 8 laboratory breakfa/less1 & my  
d$uction 0 correct4  ,x 0 n until !     
=5oon t ,craig _h complet$ ! "w he _h   
set himself to d z he puzzl$ ov] some?+ 
9 ! int]m9able litt] ( tubes & j>s1     
bottles & beak]s1 reag5ts1 solutions1 & 
precipitates4  ,i'm go+ to drop 9 at    
,jacot's1 he ann\nc$ f9ally1 lay+ (f 8  
?readb>e & acid-/a9$ coat & pull+ on !  
clo!s m fitt$ = civilization4  ,hav+ no 
objection1 b q ! contr>y1 ,i ha/5$ to   
accompany him4 ,jacot's 0 a well-kn[n   
%op4 ,x op5$ on ,fif? ,av5ue1 j a few   
feet bel[ ! sidewalk1 & ,jacot himself 0
 a slim ,fr5*man1 well pres]v$1         
faultlessly dress$4  ,i am ! ag5t ( ,mr4

 ,moreh\se1 ! ,we/]n m9e-own] &         
connoisseur1 introduc$ ,k5n$y1 z we     
ent]$ ! %op4 ,may ,i look ar\nd8        
,c]ta9em5t1--avec plaisir1 ,m'sieur1    
welcom$ ! suave deal]1 ) bo? h&s        
int]lock$4 ,9 :at is ,mr4 ,moreh\se mo/ 
int]e/$8 ,9 pictures8 ,9 furniture8 ,9--
  ,9 almo/ any?+ t is r>e & beautiful1  
confid$ ,craig1 look+ ,jacot squ>ely 9 !
 eye & add+1 & n p>ticul> ab\t ! price  
if he wants a ?+1 ei!r4 ,b ,i--,i am    
p>ticul>--ab\t "o ?+4  ,jacot look$ up  
inquir+ly4  ,a rebate1 ,k5n$y w5t on    
ins9uat+ly1 a commission on ! bill--y   
und]/&8 ,! price is immat]ial1 b n      
my--er--commission4 ,compr5ez-v\s8      
,p>faitem5t1 smil$ ! little ,fr5*man4 ,i
 c arrange all t4 ,tru/ me4  ,we sp5t an
 h\r1 p]haps1 w&]+ up & d[n ! long      
aisles ( ! /ore1 admir+1 half pur*as+1  
absorb+ facts ab\t ?is1 t & ! o!r ?+ t  
might captivate ! fictiti\s ,mr4        
,moreh\se4  ,n satisfi$ ) :at 0 display$
 s tempt+ly 9 ! front ( ! /ore1 ,k5n$y  
w&]$ back ( a p>tition app>5tly 9 se>* (

 "s m *oice treasures1 be=e ,jacot c\ld 
/op him4 ,he turn$ ov] a pa9t+ t _h be5 
plac$ ) its face t[>d ! wall1 z if =    
protection4 ,i recogniz$ ! subject ) a  
/>t4 ,x 0 ,watteau's ,fete6  ,wond]ful6 
exclaim$ ,k5n$y 9 well-feign$ ec/asy1 j 
z ,jacot came up4  ,ah1 b1 ,m'sieur1    
int]pos$ ! art deal]1 t is only a       
copy--& n = sale4  ,i believe my fri5d1 
,mr4 ,fab]1 has a copy1 v5tur$ ,craig4  
,by a ,miss ,flem+8 ask$ ,jacot quickly1
 app>5tly all int]e/ n[4  ,k5n$y %rugg$ 
8 %\ld]s4 ,0 ,jacot h9t+ at some?+ kn[n 
9 ! trade8  ,might ,i photograph "s ( ! 
?+s "h to %[ ,mr4 ,moreh\se8 ask$ ,craig
 a mom5t lat]4 ,i see sev]al ?+s 9 :i*  
,i ?9k he might be int]e/$4  ,surely1   
answ]$ ,jacot1 !n1 aft] consid]ation1 9 
:i* 8 beady eye seem$ to size up ,k5n$y1
 he add$1 sotto voce1 craftily1 ,w\ld   
,mr4 ,moreh\se be--er--int]e/$ 9        
,watteau's ,fete8  ,my he>t almo/ /opp$ 
beat+4 ,7 we really on ! "r track at    
la/8  ,jacot lean$ ov] confid5tially to 
,k5n$y & add$1 ,:y n sell z an orig9al1 

n ?is1 b ano!r copy--a--a--:at y call   
x8--a fake8  ,i und]/ood4 ,k5n$y1 hav+  
invit$ crook$ deal+ by 8 rem>k ab\t !   
rake-(f1 0 be+ approa*$ ab\t ano!r      
crook$ deal4  ,a fake ,watteau8 he ask$1
 appe>+ to meet ,jacot halfway4  ,jacot 
nodd$4 ,:y n8 ,y "k ! same ,botticelli  
belongs to collectors 9 ,philadelphia & 
,bo/on2 t is1 ea* has a picture & if "o 
is g5u9e ! o!r mu/ be a fake4 ,possibly 
! arti/ pa9t$ ! same picture twice4 ,:y1
 ,m'sieur1 !re are ,rub5s1 ,hals1 ,van  
,dycks1 ,rembr&ts galore 9 ?is c\ntry t 
hang also at ! same "t abroad4 ,jacot   
smil$4 ,did y nev] he> ( a picture ) a  
dual p]sonality8  ,k5n$y seem$ to       
consid] ! idea4 ,i'll ?9k x ov]1 he     
rem>k$ f9ally1 z we prep>$ to leave1 &  
let y "k :5 ,i come back to snap "s ( ! 
?+s = my pr9cipal4  ,well--( all braz5  
crooks6 ,i sputt]$ :5 we _h ga9$ ,fif?  
,av5ue4  ,k5n$y %ook 8 head4 ,we c't be 
sure ( any?+ 9 ?is game4 ,does x occur  
to y t he might p]haps ?9k he 0 play+ u 
= suck]s1 aft] all8  ,my m9d work$      

rapidly4 ,& t t picture ( ,fab]'s is !  
real orig9al1 aft] all8 ,i ask$4 ,y mean
 t someh[ a copy by ,miss ,flem+ has    
come really to ,jacot ) in/ructions to  
palm x (f on "s gullible buy]8          
,frankly1 ,walt]1 he said1 z we walk$   
along1 ,i don't "k :at to ?9k4 ,y "k ev5
 ! greate/ exp]ts sometimes disagree ov]
 que/ions l ?is4 ,well1 ,walt]1 art is  
long & "t is fleet+4 ,if we are ev] to  
settle :]e t real ,watteau is1 we %all h
 to resort to sci5ce1 ,i ?9k4  ,t       
aft]noon aft] a trip up to ! laboratory1
 :]e ,craig secur$ a peculi> & cumb]some
 photographic outfit1 we at la/ f\nd    
ourselves ar\nd at ,fab]'s private      
gall]y4 ,fab] 0 out1 b1 true to 8       
promise1 he _h left ^w ) 8 man1 :o      
admitt$ u4  ,k5n$y set to "w imm$iately1
 be=e ! pa9t+1 plac+ an in/rum5t :i*    
c]ta9ly 0 n l a regul> cam]a4 ,i 0 fur!r
 a/oni%$1 moreov]1 :5 ,craig set up     
some?+ back ( ! canvas1 :i* he mov$ away
 f ! wall4 ,z ne>ly z ,i c\ld make x out
 x consi/$ ( a glass bulb ( curi\s %ape4

 ,a mom5t lat] he atta*$ ! bulb to a    
wire t connect$ ) a little rheo/at or   
resi/ance coil & !nce1 9 turn1 to an    
electric-light socket4  ,he swit*$ on ! 
electric curr5t & ! app>atus beh9d !    
picture began to sputt]4 ,i c\ld n see v
 well :at x 01 b x look$ z if ! bulb 0  
suffus$ ) a peculi>1 yell[i%-gre5 light1
 divid$ into two hemisph]es ( diff]5t   
%ades4 ,! pung5t odor ( ozone f !       
electric dis*>ge fill$ ! room4  ,:ile   
,k5n$y 0 work+1 ,i _h notic$ a little   
lea!r p>ty box ly+ on a table1 z ?\gh x 
_h be5 =gott54 ,x 0 n j ! ?+ "o w\ld    
expect 9 ,fab]'s rooms & ,i look$ at x m
 closely4 ,on x 7 ! initials ,r4 ,t4 ,_h
 ,rita ,t\rville visit$ him8  ,craig _h 
sc>cely f9i%$ & 0 pack+ up 8 app>atus :5
 we he>d a noise outside4 ,a second     
lat]1 ,fab] himself ent]$1 ) ,rita1     
evid5tly look+ = some?+4  ,oh1 yes1     
,rita1--"h x is4 ,:y1 ,k5n$y--h[ are y8 
,did y get y\r photograph8  ,k5n$y      
repli$ t he _h1 & ?ank$ him4  ,x 0 easy 
to see ,rita's pleasure at be+ ) ! "y   

connoisseur1 b at ! sight ( ,craig ,i   
fanci$ = a mom5t t ,i saw a fla% ( t    
passionate res5tm5t :i* _h caus$ me to  
f9d a resemblance betwe5 ! expression ( 
h] face & t ( ,de ,montespan 9 ! pa9t+1 
a h9t at :at %e w\ld d or d>e to protect
 ! object ( h] affections4  ,we dep>t$  
%ortly1 leav+ ,rita & ,fab] deep 9 !    
discussion ( "s art topic4  ,x 0 n until
 late 9 ! aft]noon t we 7 able to       
revisit ,jacot's4 ,he receiv$ u         
cordially1 b ,craig1 by a :isp]$ ^w or  
two1 0 able to po/pone ! answ] to !     
clev] proposal :i* might h be5 a trap   
prep>$ = u4  ,craig1 ) a regul> cam]a   
:i* he _h br\ght also1 set to "w snapp+ 
pictures & objects ( art ) reckless     
pr(usion1 mov+ !m ab\t to get a bett]   
light & o!rwise consum+ "t4  ,at la/    
came ! opportunity he _h be5 await+1 :5 
,jacot _h a cu/om] 9 ! front ( ! /ore4  
,quickly he set up ! peculi> app>atus   
:i* he _h us$ at ,fab]'s be=e ! copy ( !
 ,watteau 9 ! re> ( ! %op1 swit*$ on !  
electricity1 & amid ! suppress$ sputt]+ 

duplicat$ ! "w ,i _h se5 him d be=e4  ,z
 he 0 pack+ ! app>atus up1 ,i happ5$ to 
glance t[>d ! front ( ! /ore4 ,!re 7    
,leila & ,jacot 9 e>ne/ conv]sation4 ,i 
:isp]$ to ,k5n$y1 &1 a mom5t lat]1 %e   
caught sight ( me1 appe>$ n to recognize
 me1 & left4  ,jacot saunt]$ back to u1 
,i ?\ght1 conceal+ 8 ha/e4  ,be=e he    
c\ld speak1 ,k5n$y ask$1 ,:o 0 t woman8 
,he _h f9i%$ pack+ up ! app>atus & ev5  
if ,jacot _h he>d some?+ t caus$ him to 
*ange 8 m9d1 x 0 n[ too late to /op     
,k5n$y4  ,:y1 ha/5$ ,jacot1 app>5tly    
frank1 t is ! maid ( ! ,miss ,flem+1 !  
arti/ :o has j di$4 ,%e has come to me  
to see :e!r ,i c get h] a position )    
ano!r arti/4  ,i ?\ght ,i recogniz$ h]1 
rem>k$ ,k5n$y4 ,i rememb] :5 ,i saw h]  
once be=e t %e _h on a w$d+ r+4 ,doesn't
 h] husb& support h]8  ,jacot %rugg$ 8  
%\ld]s4 ,%e is look+ = ano!r position--t
 is all ,i "k1 he said simply4  ,k5n$y  
pick$ up 8 app>atus4  ,y w ?9k ov] my   
proposition8 ask$ ,jacot1 z we left4  ,&
 let y "k 9 a day or two1 nodd$ ,k5n$y4 

,z we walk$ up ,fif? ,av5ue1 ,i confess 
to h felt all at sea4 ,:o _h ! real     
ma/]piece8 ,0 x ,fab]1 or ,jacot1 or 0 x
 someone else8 ,if ,rita _h w>n$ ,fab]  
aga9/ u1 & ,leila _h w>n$ ,jacot1 :i* _h
 copy & :i* orig9al8 ,or 7 !y bo? copies
 & _h ! orig9al be5 hidd58 ,_h x be5    
/ol5 = money or _h "s fi5d ) a k ( ?is  
my/]i\s ergot /ol5 x simply = love (    
art1 /opp+ n ev5 at murd] to get x8     
,,*apt] ,,xxi  ,,! ,,radiograph         
,,witness   ,x 0 app>5t t quick action 0
 necess>y if ! my/]y 0 ev] to be solv$4 
,k5n$y evid5tly ?\ght s1 too1 = he did n
 wait ev5 until he return$ to 8         
laboratory to set 9 motion1 ?r\gh our   
old fri5d1 ,commission] ,o',connor1 !   
ma*9]y t w\ld result 9 w>rants to compel
 ! att5dance at ! laboratory ( all ^?   
int]e/$ 9 ! case4 ,!n he call$ up ,dr4  
,leslie & f9ally ,dr4 ,bly! himself4    
,back aga9 9 ! laboratory1 ,k5n$y       
employ$ ! "t 9 develop+ "s plates ( !   
pictures he _h tak51 & by e>ly ev5+1    
aft] a brief /udy ( !m1 8 mann] indicat$

 t he 0 ready4  ,dr4 ,leslie1 :om he _h 
ask$ to come a little be=e ! re/1 arriv$
 e>ly1 & a few mom5ts lat] ,dr4 ,bly!1 v
 mu* excit$ by ! message he _h receiv$4 
,h y f\nd any?+8 he ask$ eag]ly4 ,i've  
be5 try+ all sorts ( te/s myself1 & ,i  
c't prove ! pres5ce ( a ?+--n a ?+4  ,n 
ergot8 ask$ ,k5n$y quietly4  ,no1 he    
cri$1 y c't prove any?+--y c't prove t  
%e 0 poison$ by ergot4  ,dr4 ,leslie    
look$ helplessly at ,k5n$y1 b said no?+4
  ,n until rec5tly1 p]haps1 c\ld ,i h   
prov$ any?+1 return$ ,k5n$y calmly4     
,evid5tly y didn't "k1 ,dr4 ,bly!1 t !  
fir/ successful isolation ( an alkaloid 
( ergot f ! organs 9 a case ( acute     
ergotism _h be5 made by two ,pittsburgh 
sci5ti/s4 ,true1 up to ! pres5t         
toxicologi/s _h to rely on ! physical   
prop]ties ( ?is fungus ( rye = its      
id5tification4 ,t may h made x seem l a 
safe poison to someone4 ,b ,i h succe$$ 
9 isolat+ ergot99 f ! sample ( ! cont5ts
 ( ! organs ( ! poor girl4  ,)\t paus+1 
he pick$ up a beak]4 ,"h ,i h ! residue 

left f an acid solution ( an extract ( !
 organs1 treat$ ) *lor(orm4 ,x is1 z y  
see1 cry/all9e4  ,9 8 o!r h& he held up 
ano!r beak]4 ,next ,i got ! residue     
obta9$ by extraction ( ! acid aque\s    
liquid ) e!r4 ,t1 too1 is cry/all9e4    
,k5n$y display$ some?+ 9 ! %ape ( long  
ne$les1 ! sides ( :i* 7 n q p>allel & ! 
ends replac$ by a pair ( faces4         
,quickly he dissolv$ "s ( ! cry/als 9   
sulphuric acid4 ,!n he add$ ano!r       
*emical f a bottle label$ f]ro *lorid4  
,! liquid1 z we b5t ov] x1 *ang$ quickly
 to a brilliant orange1 !n a crimson1   
next a gre51 & f9ally became a deep     
blue4  ,:at he has d]iv$ f ! body       
responds to all ! *emical te/s = ergot99
 itself1 rem>k$ ,dr4 ,leslie1 look+     
quickly across at ,dr4 ,bly!4  ,dr4     
,bly! said no?+4  ,i smelt ( ! /uff4    
,odors ) me1 z1 ,i suppose1 ) o!r p1 h a
 psy*ological effect1 call+ up sc5es    
associat$ ) !m4 ,?is odor recall$       
some?+4 ,i /rove to recollect :at x 04  
,at la/ x came ) a ru%4  ,! meat sauce6 

,i exclaim$ involunt>ily4  ,exactly1    
repli$ ,k5n$y4 ,i h obta9$ t bottle4    
,!re 0 ergot 9 x1 clev]ly conceal$ by ! 
natural smell & ta/e ( ! sauce4 ,b :o   
put x !re8 ,:o _h ! k t w\ld sugge/ us+ 
su* a poison8 ,:o _h ! motive8 ,:o _h   
be5 d9+ ) h] t fatal ev5+8  ,k5n$y _h no
 *ance to answ] 8 que/ions1 ev5 if he _h
 int5d$ to d s4  ,! door ( ! laboratory 
op5$ & ,rita ,t\rville1 9 *>ge ( "o (   
,o',connor's m51 :o look$ z if he might 
h enjoy$ x bett] if ! lady _h n be5 s   
angry1 ent]$4 ,evid5tly ,o',connor _h   
tim$ ! arrival closely to :at ,craig _h 
ask$1 = sc>cely a mom5t lat] ,fab] came 
:irl+ up 9 "o ( 8 own c>s4 ,n a ^w pass$
 betwe5 him & ,rita1 yet ,i felt sure t 
!y _h "s und]/&+ ( ea* o!r4 ,leila      
arriv$ %ortly1 & x 0 noticeable t ,rita 
avoid$ h]1 ?\gh = :at reason ,i c\ld n  
guess4 ,f9ally came ,jacot1 blu/]+1 b1  
hav+ made ! (fic] ! safety-valve ( 8    
m]curial feel+s1 quickly subsid+ be=e u4
 ,dr4 ,bly! appe>$ amaz$ at ! quickness 
) :i* ,k5n$y mov$ n[4  ,9 ord9>y times1 

began ,k5n$y1 not+ z he spoke ! outw>d  
attitude ( our gue/s t[>d ea* o!r1 ! _w 
w\ld h /ood agha/ at ! disappe>ance (   
su* a ma/]piece z ! ,fete by ,watteau4  
,x w\ld h rank$ ) ! !ft ( ,ga9esbor\gh's
 ,du*ess ( ,devon%ire1 ,da ,v9ci's ,mona
 ,lisa1 ! br[n-sk9n$ ,madonna ( !       
,mexican conv5t1 ,millet's ,goose-girl1 
& ! ,%eph]d & ,flock1 ! portrait (      
,saskia by ,rembr&t1 & o!r /ol5         
ma/]pieces4  ,b today ! vicissitudes (  
works ( art 9 w> "t pass almo/ unnotic$4
 ,/ill !re is a fasc9ation ex]cis$ ov] !
 human m9d by works ( art & o!r objects 
( hi/oric int]e/1 ! m s because ! tak+ (
 art treasures seems to h become        
epidemic 9 nor!rn ,europe4  ,he laid d[n
 :at look$ m l two r\gh sket*es ?an     
photographs1 yet !y 7 photographs1 ?\gh 
! relative brightness ( color 9         
photographs 0 q diff]5t4 ,outl9es 7     
displac$1 also4 ,ugly spots & b&s m>r$ !
 g5]al effect4 ,!y 7 peculi>4  ,!y are  
,x-ray images or radiographs ( two oil  
pa9t+s1 bo? claim$ to be copies (       

,watteau's fam\s ,fete1 expla9$ ,k5n$y1 
pick+ up "o ( !m4  ,9 a radiograph ( !  
body1 he cont9u$1 ! diff]5ce (          
brightness t di/+ui%es ! he>t f ! lungs1
 bones f fle%1 is due to ! diff]5t      
d5sities ( tissues4 ,9 ^! pictures !    
same effect is produc$ by ! diff]5t     
d5sities ( ! pigm5ts1 especially ( _!   
pr9cipal & heavie/ elem5ts4  ,he paus$ &
 laid d[n a *>t4 ,= anyone :o d\bts :at 
,i am ab\t to prove1 ,i h made a scale (
 oil colors arrang$ 9 accordance to _!  
transp>5cy to ,ro5tg5 rays by apply+    
/&>d pigm5ts to canvas 9 pat*es ( equal 
?ickness4  ,i ?9k y c see :at ,i am     
driv+ at4 ,= in/ance1 a design drawn 9 a
 heavy pigm5t w %[ ?r\gh a lay] ( a less
 d5se pigm5t1 "u ! influ5ce ( !         
,x-ray--j z bones %[ ?r\gh fle%4 ,9 o!r 
words1 an ord9>y photograph reproduces  
only ! surface ( a pa9t+4 ,a radiograph 
repres5ts all ! pigm5ts und]nea?1 also  
produc+ effects 9 proportion to _!      
d5sities4  ,let me %[ y ! practical     
result ( all ?is 9 /udy+ su*            

radiographs1 z work$ out by a ,g]man    
/ud5t4 ,i h made sev]al v int]e/+ &     
conclusive discov]ies :i* ^! radiographs
 ,i h tak5 illu/rate4  ,he paus$ a      
mom5t1 = ! sake ( emphasis4 ,y w notice1
 he resum$ c>efully1 ! lace frill above 
! bodice on ! figure ( ,madame de       
,montespan1 9 ?is radiograph4 ,9 ! pa9t+
 ! frill is %>ply def9$ & c be cle>ly   
di/+ui%$ f ! bodice4 ,b look at ?is     
radiograph4 ,x appe>s tatt]$4 ,x ov]fl[s
 ! bodice4  ,t l$ me to suspect t !     
bodice 0 wid5$ z an aft]?\ght--p]haps to
 dim9i% ! area ( :ite4 ,t is ! reason :y
 ! :ite %[s ?r\gh ! bodice 9 !          
radiograph4 ,b 9 ?is o!r "o ! bodice & !
 frill are sub/antially z !y mu/ be 9 ! 
orig9al4  ,aga9 he paus$1 z if tak+ up a
 new po9t4 ,?is radiograph1--numb] "o1  
,i may call x--%[s a broad light b& on !
 "r h& ( ! figure1 ( :i* n a trace is to
 be f\nd ei!r 9 ! o!r radiograph or !   
pa9t+ itself4 ,x repres5ts ! fir/ r\gh  
sket* ( an arm & h&4  ,aga91 9 ?is fir/ 
radiograph ! r+ & little f+]s are close 

toge!r & a six? f+] appe>s betwe5 !     
index & middle f+]s4 ,f t ,i inf] t ! h&
 hung limp ) ! f+]s ne>ly 9 contact 9 ! 
fir/ sket* & t ! f+]s 7 aft]w>d sep>at$4
 ,b 9 ?is second radiograph ! arm1 h& & 
f+]s are p]fect4  ,x 0 fasc9at+ to li/5 
to ,k5n$y z he delv$ d[n into !         
invisible b5ea? ! v oils & dug out _!   
hidd5 my/]y4  ,take ! head & %\ld]1 he  
cont9u$4 ,radiograph numb] "o cle>ly %[s
 flak+ ( ! pa9t+ :i* has be5 pa9t$ ov]  
to conceal x4 ,ord9>y light reveals no  
trace1 ei!r1 ( a long crack on ! %\ld]  
:i* evid5tly 0 fill$ ) a ?ick mass (    
pigm5t conta9+ too little :ite lead to  
oblit]ate ! crack 9 ! radiograph4 ,:ite 
spots above ! e>1 9 ! radiograph1       
probably indicate an excess ( :ite lead 
us$ 9 ret\*+4 ,at any rate1 radiograph  
numb] two conta9s no su* defects4       
,k5n$y paus$ be=e draw+ ! conclusion4 ,!
 radiograph ( an orig9al picture reveals
 *anges made by ! arti/ 9 ! c\rse ( 8   
"w4 ,! c\nt]feit]1 l o!r copyi/s1       
reproduces z accurately z possible !    

f9al result4 ,t is all he c see4 ,he    
makes errors & corrections1 b ( a       
diff]5t k9d4 ,!re are no s]i\s *anges4  
,s1 a radiograph ( ev5 a "p ( a picture 
%[s ! lay]s ( pigm5t t are hidd5 f ! eye
 & ! *anges made dur+ ! composition ( ! 
"w4 ,"o c easily di/+ui% ! g5u9e f !    
spuri\s copies1 = x is absolutely       
impossible = an imitator to make a copy 
t w /& ! ,x-ray te/4  ,y see1 he w5t on 
en?usia/ically1 ! mo/ /rik+ feature ( ^!
 radiographs is _! revelation ( details 
( ! fir/ sket*1 :i* h be5 alt]$ 9 !     
f9i%$ picture4 ,we actually obta9 an    
insight into ! me?ods ( an arti/-- he   
paus$1 add+--:o has be5 dead = c5turies4
  ,x 0 wond]ful :at ,k5n$y 0 gett+ out (
 ^?1 to u1 blurr$ & indi/9ct skiagraphs4
 ,i /udi$ ! faces be=e me4 ,none seem$  
to indicate any disposition to break    
d[n4 ,k5n$y saw x1 too1 & evid5tly      
det]m9$ to g to ! bitt] end 9 hamm]+ out
 ! tru? ( ! my/]y4  ,"o mom5t m1 please1
 he resum$4 ,! radiograph %[s ev5 m ?an 
t4 ,x %[s ! possibility ( detect+ a     

signature t has be5 pa9t$ ov]1 9 ord] to
 dis>m suspicion4 ,! detection is easi] 
9 proportion to ! d5sity ( ! pigm5t us$ 
= ! signature & ! lack ( d5sity ( !     
sup]pos$ coat4  ,he _h laid !           
radiographs on ! table be=e him1 ) a f+]
 on ! corn] ( ea*1 z he fac$ u4  ,at !  
bottom ( ea* ( ! pa9t+s 9 "q1 he %ot    
out1 lean+ =w>d1 y w f9d no?+ 9 ! way ( 
a signature4 ,b "h1 9 radiograph numb]  
two1 = in/ance1 b>ely disc]nible1 are ! 
words1 ,r4 ,flem+1 q invisible to ! eye1
 b visible to ! ,x-ray4 ,^! words h be5 
pa9t$ ov]4 ,:y8 ,0 x to prev5t anyone f 
?9k+ t ! own] _h ev] _h any connection )
 ,rhoda ,flem+8  ,i 0 foll[+ ,k5n$y1 b n
 s closely t ,i miss$ a fe>ful glance ( 
,rita f ,fab] to ,jacot4 ,:at x meant1  
,i did n "k4 ,! o!rs 7 too int5t on     
,k5n$y's exposure to notice4 ,i wond]$  
:e!r someone _h s\ght to conceal ! fact 
t he _h a copy ( ! fam\s ,watteau1 made 
by ,miss ,flem+8  ,look at ! bottom ( ! 
o!r radiograph1 numb] "o1 fur!r t[>d !  
left1 pursu$ ,k5n$y resi/lessly4 ,!re y 

w discov] traces ( an ',a' & a ',w1' :i*
 d n appe> on ! pa9t+4 ,betwe5 ^! two   
are m>ks :i* c also be deciph]$ by !    
,x-ray--',anto9e ,watteau4' ,p]haps x 0 
pa9t$ ov] lightly s t an orig9al c\ld be
 smuggl$ 9 z a copy4 ,m likely x 0 done 
s t a ?ief & murd]] c\ld n be trac$4  ,z
 ,k5n$y's voice rang out1 m & m         
accusatory1 ,rita ,t\rville became m & m
 uncontrollably n]v\s4  ,x 0 sugge/$1   
modulat$ ,k5n$y1 play+ ) 8 little       
audi5ce z a cat might ) a m\se1 t       
someone murd]$ ,rhoda ,flem+ ) !        
little-und]/ood poison1 ergot1 because (
 an infatuation = ! picture itself4 ,b !
 mod]n crook has an eye = pictures1 j z 
= o!r valuables4 ,! spread ( ! ta/e =   
art has taught ^! fell[s t su* ?+s z old
 ma/]s are wor? money1 & !y w ev5 murd] 
n[ to get !m4 ,no1 t radiograph :i* ,i h
 label$ numb] "o is n a copy4 ,x is ( ! 
g5u9e old ma/]--! real ,watteau4        
,someone1 closely associat$ ) ,miss     
,flem+1 _h f\nd out t %e _h ! orig9al4  
,t p]son1 9 ord] to get x1 w5t ev5 s f> 

z to--  ,rita ,t\rville jump$ up1       
wildly1 fac+ ,craig & cry+ out1 ,no1    
no--8 is ! copy--! copy by ,miss ,flem+4
 ,x 0 ,i :o told him to pa9t ov] !      
signature4 ,x 0 ,i :o call$ him         
away--bo? nights--on a pretext--:5 he 0 
d9+ ) h]--alone--call$ him              
because--,i--,i lov$ him & ,i knew--    
,fab] 0 on 8 feet beside h] 9 a mom5t1 8
 face pla9ly %[+ 8 feel+s t[>d h]4 ,z he
 laid 8 h& on h] arm to re/ra9 h]1 %e   
turn$ & caught a p5etrat+ glance f      
,jacot's hypnotic eye4  ,sl[ly %e       
collaps$ into h] *air1 cov]+ h] face )  
h] h&s1 sobb+4 ,= a mom5t a look (      
int5se scorn & hatr$ blaz$ 9 ,leila's   
face1 !n 0 *eck$4  ,craig wav$ !        
radiograph ( ! real ,watteau z he       
emphasiz$ 8 la/ words4  ,9 spite ( ,rita
 ,t\rville's unexpect$ love = ,fab]1    
w9n+ him f y\r victim1 & ) ! aid ( y\r  
wife1 ,leila1 9 ! role ( maid1 ! ?ird   
memb] ( y\r unique gang ( art ?ieves1 y 
are convict$ infallibly by my ,x-ray    
detective1 ?und]$ ,craig z he po9t$ 8   

f+] at ! n[ c[]+ ,jacot4     ,,*apt]    
,,xxii  ,,! ,,absolute ,,z]o   ,isn't   
!re "s way y c save him1 ,pr(essor      
,k5n$y8 ,y mu/ come out to ,bri> ,lake4 
,:5 a h&some woman l ,mrs4 ,fras] ,f]ris
 pleads1 %e is irresi/ible4 ,n only t1 b
 ! /ory :i* %e _h n tru/$ ei!r to a     
message or a mess5g] 0 deeply int]e/+1  
=1 already1 x _h set agog ! fa%ionable  
c\ntry h\se colony4  ,mrs4 ,f]ris _h    
come to u n z ! social lead] n[1 b z a  
"m4 ,only ! night be=e h] son1 "y       
,fras]1 _h be5 arre/$ by ! local        
au?orities at ,bri> ,lake on ! *>ge (   
homicide4 ,i _h read ! meag] dispat* 9 !
 morn+ pap]s & _h wond]$ :at ! :ole /ory
 might be4  ,y see1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 %e
 began 9 an agitat$ voice z soon z %e   
arriv$ at ! laboratory & introduc$      
h]self to u1 day be=e ye/]day1 ,fras] 0 
box+ at ! ,c\ntry ,club ) ano!r "y man1 
,irv+ ,evans4  ,k5n$y nodd$4 ,bo? ( !m 7
 well kn[n4 ,f]ris _h be5 ! ,all-,am]ica
 tackle on ! ,univ]sity football team a 
c\ple ( ye>s previ\s & ,evans 0 a crack 

pit*] sev]al ye>s be=e4  ,irv+1 %e      
cont9u$1 add+1 ( c\rse ,i call him      
,irv+1 = 8 "m & ,i 7 s*oolgirls         
toge!r--,irv+1 ,i believe1 fell         
unconsci\s dur+ ! b\t4 ,i'm tell+ y j   
:at ,fras] told me4  ,! o!r m5 9 ! ,club
 gymnasium at ! "t c>ri$ him into !     
lock]-room & !re !y all did :at !y c\ld 
to revive him4 ,!y succe$$ f9ally1 b :5 
he rega9$ consci\sness he compla9$ ( a  
burn+ s5sation 9 8 /oma*1 or1 r1 z      
,fras] says1 j bel[ ! po9t :]e 8 ribs   
come toge!r4 ,!y say1 too1 t !re 0 a r$ 
spot on 8 sk91 ab\t ! size ( a          
half-doll>4  ,f9ally1 %e cont9u$ ) a    
sigh1 ! o!r m5 took ,irv+ home--b he    
laps$ into a half-comatose condition4   
,he nev] got bett]4 ,he--he di$ ! next  
day--ye/]day4  ,x 0 evid5tly a great    
ef=t = ,mrs4 ,f]ris to talk ( ! affair  
:i* _h involv$ h] son1 b %e _h made up  
h] m9d to face ! necessity & 0 go+ ?r\gh
 x bravely4  ,( c\rse1 %e resum$ a mom5t
 lat]1 ! dea? ( ,irv+ ,evans caus$ a    
great deal ( talk+4 ,x 0 natural 9 a    

community l ,bri> ,lake4 ,b ,i don't ?9k
 any?+ w\ld h be5 ?\ght ab\t x1 out ( ! 
way1 if ! aft]noon aft] 8               
dea?--ye/]day--! body ( "o ( ! ,club's  
/ew>ds1 ,b5son1 _h n be5 f\nd jamm$ into
 a trunk4 ,app>5tly1 x _h be5 dump$ (f  
an automobile 9 "o ( ! mo/ lonely       
sections ( ! c\ntry4  ,9 fact1 %e w5t   
on1 x 0 ! sort ( ?+ t might h tak5      
place1 "o w\ld say1 9 ! d>k alleys ( a  
big city4 ,b 9 a c\ntry resort l ,bri>  
,lake1 ! v uncommonness ( su* a case    
call$ add$ att5tion to x4  ,i und]/&1   
agre$ ,craig1 b :y did !y suspect y\r   
son8  ,t's ! ridicul\s "p ( x1 at lea/  
to me1 ha/5$ ! "m to h] son's def5se4   
,bo? ,irv+ & my son1 z y "k1 7 =m]      
,univ]sity a?letic />s1 &1 z 9 all      
c\ntry clubs1 ,i suppose1 t meant       
popul>ity4 ,irv+ 0 engag$ to ,anita     
,allison4 ,anita is "o ( ! mo/ beautiful
 & popul> girls 9 ! y\ng] set1 a spl5did
 golf]1 *>m+ & clev]1 ! life ( ! ,club  
at ! dances & teas4  ,mrs4 ,f]ris paus$ 
z ?\gh %e w\ld convey to u j ! social   

/atus ( ev]yone conc]n$4  ,( c\rse1 %e  
?rew 9 p>5!tically1 y "k ! ,allisons are
 reput$ to be q well (f4 ,:5 old ,mr4   
,allison di$1 ,anita's bro!r1 ,dean1    
sev]al ye>s old] ?an h]self1 inh]it$ !  
brok]age bus9ess ( 8 fa!r &1 accord+ to 
! w1 assum$ ! gu>dian%ip ( 8 y\ng] si/]4
  ,%e seem$ to be consid]+ some?+1 !n   
sudd5ly to make up h] m9d to tell x4 ,i 
suppose ev]yone kn[s x1 %e resum$1 & y  
ought to "k x1 too4 ,fras] 0--er--"o (  
,anita's unsuccessful suitors4 ,9 fact1 
,anita _h be5 s\ght by ne>ly all ( ! mo/
 eligible "y fell[s ( ! ,club4 ,i don't 
?9k !re 7 _m :o _h n at "s "t or o!r    
(f]$ h] 8 :ole he>t z well z 8 =tune4   
,i didn't enc\rage ,fras]--or try to    
disc\rage him4 ,b ,i c\ld see t x lay   
betwe5 ,fras] & ,irv+4  ,& ! r /range   
circum/ances ( ! dea? ( ,evans1 z well z
 ( ! /ew>d1 occasion$ a good deal (     
gossip1 ,i suppose1 *im$ 9 ,k5n$y4      
,yes4 ,someh[1 p began to :isp] t x 0   
rev5ge or hate or jeal\sy t _h prompt$ !
 bl[1--t p]haps ! /ew>d1 ,b5son1 :o 0 v 

popul> ) ! "y m51 knew or _h se5 some?+ 
t made him dang]\s4  ,anyh[1 gossip grew
 until x seem$ t1 9 "s way :i* no "o has
 ev] said def9itely1 a delib]ate attempt
 0 made on ,irv+ ,evans's life1 & f9ally
 ! local au?orities1 r glad to take up a
 sc&al 9 ! ,club set1 took action &     
arre/$ my ,fras]--"u a *>ge ( homicide4 
,%e blurt$ ! words out fi]cely &        
defiantly1 b x 0 all assum$4 ,und]nea?1 
"o c\ld see ! woman fight+ loyally ) e  
weapon = h] son1 ke5ly alive to !       
disgrace t ev5 ! brea? ( sc&al unrefut$ 
might br+ to 8 "n4  ,h[ ab\t ! o!r      
admir]s8 ask$ ,craig quickly4  ,t's     
ano!r que] ?+1 %e repli$ eag]ly4 ,y see1
 !y h all sudd5ly become v busy & h made
 p]fect alibis4 ,b !re 0 ,allan         
,wyndham--he's a fri5d ( !              
,allisons1--:y %\ldn't !y suspect him8  
,9 fact1 !re 0 q a gr\p ( "y fell[s     
closely associat$ ) ,dean ,allison 9    
speculation4 ,irv+ ,evans 0 "o4 ,b1 %e  
add$1 ) a glance at ,k5n$y z if %e      
realiz$ t x 0 l cat*+ at a /raw1 )      

,fras]1 ( c\rse1--!re is t bl[4 ,we c't 
d5y t4  ,:at does ,miss ,allison ?9k8   
qu]i$ ,craig4  ,oh1 ,i believe ,anita is
 all brok5 up by ! trag$y to h] fiance4 
,%e 0 at ! ,club at ! "t--9 ! tea room4 
,no "o d>$ to tell h] until ,irv+ _h be5
 tak5 home4 ,!n h] bro!r1 :o 0 9 !      
gymnasium :5 ! ?+ happ5$ & _h be5 "o (  
^? to c>ry ,irv+ into ! lock]-room1 0   
naturally *os5 by ! re/1 aft] !y _h done
 all !y c\ld to revive ,irv+1 to break !
 news z g5tly z he c\ld to 8 si/]4 ,%e  
took x calmly4 ,b ,i ?9k x w\ld h be5   
bett] if %e _h giv5 way to h] real      
feel+s4 ,!y say %e has seclud$ h]self 9 
! ,allison h\se & won't see a s\l4      
,k5n$y's br[ puck]$ 9 ?\ght4  ,y c't    
imag9e :at a t]rible %ock ?is ?+ has be5
 to me1 plead$ ,mrs4 ,f]ris4 ,oh1 !     
horror ( x all6 ,y mu/ come out to ,bri>
 ,lake ) me6  ,!re 01 naturally1 no d\bt
 ( ! poignancy ( h] feel+s z %e look$ f 
,k5n$y to myself1 implor+ly4 ,z =       
,craig1 he did n ne$ to betray ! sympa?y
 he felt n only = ! "y man :o _h be5    

arre/$ & 8 "m1 b = ! poor girl ^: life  
might be bla/$ by ! trag$y & ! unhappy  
victim :o _h be5 snat*$ away s sudd5ly  
almo/ on ! v eve ( happ9ess4  ,x 0 n    
half an h\r lat]1 t1 ) a v grateful "m1 
we 7 on our way out to ,bri> ,lake 9    
,mrs4 ,f]ris's t\r+ c>4  ,z we :irl$    
along pa/ ! city limits1 ,k5n$y lean$   
back on ! cu%ions & = "s m9utes seem$   
absorb$ 9 ?\ght4  ,( c\rse x is         
possible1 he rem>k$ at l5g?1 notic+ t   
bo? ,mrs4 ,f]ris & ,i 7 wat*+ him       
n]v\sly1 t ,miss ,allison may "k some?+ 
t w ?r[ "s light on ! affair4 ,b x may  
be ( an entirely private nature4 ,i     
don't "k h[ we'll get h] to talk1 b we  
mu/--if %e kn[s any?+4 ,i'd l to /op at 
! ,allison h\se1 fir/4  ,v well1 agre$  
,mrs4 ,f]ris1 lean+ =w>d & direct+ !    
*auffeur to turn (f be=e we rea*$ ,bri> 
,lake on ! ma9 road4  ,we sp$ along & ,i
 c\ld n help feel+ t ! "y man :o 0 driv+
 ! c> 0 q z eag] z anyone else to br+   
help to 8 "y ma/]4  ,! ,allison h\se    
prov$ to be a roomy1 old-fa%ion$ place  

on a rise ( gr\nd j ?is side ( ,bri>    
,lake1 = ! ,allisons _h be5 among ! fir/
 to acquire e/ates at ! exclusive       
colony4  ,mrs4 ,f]ris rema9$ 9 ! c>1    
:ile ,k5n$y & ,i w5t 9 to introduce     
ourselves4  ,we f\nd ! "y society girl  
evid5tly n[ 9 full possession ( h]      
n]ves4 ,%e 0 sl5d]1 fair1 ) deep blue   
eyes1 n m]ely pretty1 b ) a face t %[$  
"*4  ,anita ,allison _h be5 seat$ 9 !   
libr>y1 &1 z we ent]$1 ,i c\ld see t %e 
_h ha/ily %ov$ "s pap]s1 at :i* %e _h   
be5 look+1 into a draw] ( ! desk4  ,miss
 ,allison1 began ,k5n$y1 ?is is a mo/   
un=tunate affair & ,i mu/ beg y\r       
p>don--  ,yes1 %e int]rupt$1 ,i und]/&4 
,z if ,i didn't feel badly en\gh--oh--!y
 h to make x all s mu* h>d] to be> by   
arre/+ ,fras]--& !n all ?is             
notoriety1--x is awful4  ,i confess t ,i
 _h n expect$ t we w\ld see h] s easily4
 ,yet ,i felt t !re 0 "s con/ra9t 9 h]  
mann]1 9 spite ( t4  ,i want to speak   
frankly ) y1 ,miss ,allison1 w5t on     
,craig g5tly4 ,is !re any?+ ab\t !      

matt]--( a p]sonal nature--t y hav5't   
told8 ,i want to appeal to y4 ,rememb]1 
!re is ano!r life at /ake1 n[4  ,%e     
look$ at u se>*+ly4 ,did %e suspect t we
 knew some?+ or 0 %e h]self seek+       
in=mation8  ,no1 no1 %e cri$4 ,!re isn't
 a ?+--n a ?+ t ,i "k t ,i hav5't       
told--no?+4  ,k5n$y said no?+ himself1 b
 wat*$ h]1 app>5tly assum+ t %e w\ld g  
on4  ,oh1 %e cri$1 if ,i c\ld only d    
some?+--any?+4 ,x might get my m9d (f x 
all4 ,b ,i--,i c't ev5 cry6  ,pla9ly !re
 0 little except a sort ( m5tal         
vivisection ( h] grief to be ga9$ f h]  
yet--ev5 if %e suspect$ some?+1 ( :i* ,i
 0 n entirely sure4  ,we excus$         
ourselves & left h]1 sunk deeply into a 
lea!r *air1 h] face buri$ 9 h] h&s1 b n 
weep+4  ,is ,mr4 ,allison at home8      
inquir$ ,craig z we pass$ out ?r\gh !   
hall1 meet+ ! butl] at ! door4  ,no1    
sir1 he repli$4 ,he w5t to ,new ,york   
?is morn+1 sir1 & said he'd be at !     
,club lat] ?is aft]noon4  ,we climb$    
into ! c> & ,k5n$y look$ at 8 wat*4 ,x's

 gett+ well along 9 ! aft]noon1 he      
rem>k$4 ,i ?9k ,i'll g ov] to ! ,club4  
,we may f9d ,allison !re n[4  ,z we     
turn$ out into ! ma9 road our driv] _h  
to sw]ve = a c> :i* turn$ (f1 com+ f !  
city1 z we _h come a few m9utes be=e4   
,he look$ ar\nd at x blackly1 z x w5t up
 ! road to ! ,allison h\se1 = he _h _h  
to /all 8 own eng9e to avoid a          
collision4 ,!re 0 no "o 9 ! o!r c> b a  
driv] ) a visor$ hat4  ,^: c> 0 t8 ask$ 
,craig quickly4  ,allan ,wyndham's1     
answ]$ our driv]1 />t+ 8 eng9e4  ,h'm1  
mus$ ,craig4 ,wyndham mu/ h s5t h] a    
message f t[n4 ,too bad we hurri$ s to  
get up "h4  ,at la/1 z we turn$ a b5d 9 
! ma9 road1 ! broad *imneys1 :ite       
columns & wide balu/rades ( ! ,bri>     
,lake ,c\ntry ,club loom$ 9 sight4  ,!  
,c\ntry ,club 0 a mo/ pret5ti\s build+1 
yet1 unlike _m su* clubs1 _h a v        
hospitable air 9 spite ( its ari/ocratic
 & h&some appe>ance4  ,!re 0 some?+ v   
invit+ ab\t its wide sweep ( ro( & ample
 piazzas1 "s enclos$ 9 glass1 z we      

approa*$ by ! broad gravel$ driveway t  
swung 9 f ! highway betwe5 ! g5tle      
curves ( gre5 lawns ^: expanse 0 brok5  
by ! tall p9es ?r\gh :i* we caught a    
glimpse ( ! hills4 ,x 0 inde$ a         
beautiful c\ntry4  ,we ent]$ a wide hall
 & came to ! reception room cr[d$ )     
luxuri\s arm*airs & cozy corn]s4 ,9 a   
glass case /ood ! usual trophies4       
,gr\p$ ab\t a huge deep fire 0 a knot ( 
p1 & "h & !re o!rs 7 talk+ e>ne/ly4 ,"o 
c\ld feel t ?is 0 "o ( ^? social        
in/itutions n to be 9 :i* argu$ t "o 0  
decid$ly out ( ?+s4 ,i c\ld almo/       
visualize ! close scrut9y t new         
applicants w\ld und]go1 n s mu* z m5    
among m51 b ?r\gh ! eyes ( ! wom5 folk1 
dissect+ ! wives & daught]s ( ! family4 
,f\nd$ orig9ally because ( ! int]e/ ( ! 
old] memb]s 9 horses & ! hunt1 ! ,club  
_h n[ ext5d$ its activities to polo &   
motors1 golf1 t5nis1 squa%1 ) a f9e old 
,engli% b[l+ gre5 & ample %oot+ traps4  
,i c\ld n blame ,mrs4 ,f]ris = n wi%+ to
 ent] ! ,club j yet4 ,%e _h left u at ! 

door1 promis+ to s5d ! c> back = our    
disposal4     ,,*apt] ,,xxiii  ,,!      
,,vacuum ,,bottle   ,=tunately1 ,dean   
,allison 0 at ! ,club1 z we hop$1 hav+ j
 arriv$ by ! tra9 t left ,new ,york at !
 close ( ! bank+ day4 ,someone told u1  
h[ev]1 t ,wyndham _h probably decid$ to 
rema9 9 t[n ov] night4  ,allison 0      
p]haps a little old] ?an ,i _h imag9$1 r
 a grave "y man :o seem$ to take 8 club 
responsibilities on ! ,c\ncil v s]i\sly4
  ,i'd l to talk to y ab\t ?is ,evans   
case1 began ,craig :5 we _h be5         
introduc$4  ,glad to tell y all ,i "k1  
he respond$ cordially4 ,x isn't mu*1    
,i'm afraid4 ,x's t]rible--t]rible4 ,we 
don't "k :at to ?9k4 ,my si/] is all    
brok5 up by x1 poor girl4  ,he l$ ! way 
ov] to a corn]1 9 a sort ( b[ w9d[1 & we
 sat d[n on ! h>d lea!r cu%ions4  ,no1  
!re isn't mu* ,i c say1 he resum$4 ,y   
see1 "o ( ! recreations ( ! y\ng] set at
 ! ,club is box+--t's ab\t all !re 0 to 
x--n ! amateuri% ?+ "o usually sees1 b  
real sci5tific box+4  ,fras] _h adopt$ !

 s-call$ ,fitzsimmons %ift--y "k1 ! "r  
foot =w>d1 :ile ! left h& %oots out f   
some:]e ne> ! hip1 plung+ at close range
 into ! pit ( ! /oma*4  ,allison rose to
 illu/rate x4 ,irv+1 on ! o!r h&1 _h be5
 advocat+ ! ,jeffries cr\* z ! only     
safegu>d to meet x1--l t4  ,he ?rew     
himself into position & w5t on1 ,! b\t  
_h be5 arrang$1 accord+ly1 & x 0 "s b\t1
 too4 ,mo/ ( u "h are fond ( box+ to    
keep fit4  ,well1 at la/ ,fras] got "u 8
 gu>d1 ,i suppose y'd call x4 ,he l&$4  
,= an in/ant1 ,irv+ /ood up /raight1 8  
h&s helplessly ext5d$4 ,mo/ ( u ?\ght he
 0 fool+ & ,fras] jump$ back1 laugh+ at 
! way 8 cont5tion _h work$ out4 ,!n1    
sl[ly1 /ruggl+ z if aga9/ ! inevitable1 
,irv+ b5t =w>d & toppl$ ov] on 8 face4  
,t's :]e we woke up4 ,we ru%$ =w>d &    
pick$ him up1 app>5tly unconsci\s1 &    
c>ri$ him to ! lock]-room4 ,!re 0 a good
 deal ( excitem5t4 ,someone telephon$ = 
a doctor1 b c\ldn't seem to f9d "o at   
home4  ,did y see any?+ peculi> take    
place 9 ! lock]-room8 ask$ ,k5n$y1      

foll[+ ke5ly4  ,any?+ peculi>8          
,yes--anyone ne> him1 p]haps--ano!r     
bl[--:ile he 0 unconsci\s4  ,no--& ,i   
?9k ,i w\ld h se5 any?+ t 0 out ( ! way4
 ,i 0 !re almo/ all ! "t--until someone 
told me my si/] 0 up/airs & sugge/$ t ,i
 0 ! be/ "o to break ! news to h]4  ,i'd
 l to look ov] ! gymnasium & lock]-room1
 sugge/$ ,craig4  ,dean ,allison l$ !   
way d[n/airs quickly4 ,craig did n sp5d 
m ?an a m9ute 9 ! gymnasium1 b !        
lock]-room he exam9$ c>efully4  ,x 0 a  
long room4 ,ea* lock] bore ! "n ( its   
own] & he ha/ily ran 8 eye ov] !m1 gett+
 _! location4  ,i don't "k t ev5 he _h1 
yet1 any idea t he w\ld f9d any?+1 b x 0
 j 8 habit to g ov] ! gr\nd ( a trag$y1 
9 hope ( pick+ up "s clew4  ,he look$   
ov] ! floor v c>efully1 n[ & !n b5d+ d[n
 z if to discov] spots4 ,once he paus$ a
 mom5t1 !n cont9u$ 8 measur$ tread d[n !
 long r[ ( lock]s until he came to a    
door at ! o!r end ( ! room4 ,we w5t out 
& ,k5n$y look$ ab\t closely4  ,oh1--ab\t
 ,b5son1 ! /ew>d1 he said1 look+ up     

quickly & /rok+ 8 *9 z if an idea _h    
occurr$ to him4 ,is !re anyone "h :o    
might "k some?+ ab\t him--8 habits1     
associates1--t sort ( ?+8  ,:y--yes1    
consid]$ ,allison sl[ly1 ! *ef might "k4
 ,wait1 ,i'll call him4  ,z ,allison    
disappe>$ 9 ! direction ( :at 0 evid5tly
 ! kit*51 we /ood outside by ! door1    
wait+4  ,k5n$y's eye travel$ back & =?  
ab\t u & f9ally fell on a r[ ( rubbi%   
b>rels a few feet away4 ,he mov$ ov] to 
!m4  ,he _h half turn$ away1 retrac+ 8  
/eps back to me ?\ghtfully1 :5 8 eye mu/
 h be5 attract$ by some?+ gleam+4 ,he   
turn$ back & pok$ at x ) 8 /ick4 ,peep+ 
f ! rubbi% 0 a d5t$ !rmos bottle1 ! l9+ 
( :i* 0 crack$ & brok54  ,he 0 ab\t to  
turn away aga9 :5 8 eye fell on some?+  
else4 ,x 0 ! top ( ! bottle1 ! little   
metal cap t screws ov] x1 or r x 0 :at 0
 left ( ! cap4  ,t's /range1 he mutt]$  
to himself1 pick+ x up4  ,! cap1 :i*    
might h be5 us$ z a cup1 0 brok5 9 ! mo/
 peculi> mann]1 9 spite ( ! fact t x 0  
metal4 ,if x _h be5 ( glass ,i %\ld h   

said t someone _h dropp$ x4  ,k5n$y     
fr[n$ & dropp$ ! pieces into 8 pocket1  
turn+ to wait = ,allison to return ) !  
*ef4  ,i c't seem to f9d him1 report$   
,allison a mom5t lat]4 ,b he'll be "h   
soon4 ,he'll h to be--or lose 8 job4 ,h[
 w\ld aft] d9n] d8 ,i'll h him & all !  
o!r employes1 !n4  ,good6 agre$ ,k5n$y4 
,t w give me "t to g into ! t[n fir/ &  
get back4  ,i'd be glad to h y d9e ) me1
 invit$ ,allison4  ,?ank y1 smil$       
,k5n$y4 ,i'm afraid ,i won't h "t = d9+ 
tonight4 ,i'll be back aft] d9n]1 ?\gh4 
,mrs4 ,f]ris's c> _h return$ & ,craig's 
next /ep 0 to g on into ! t[n ( ,bri>   
,lake4  ,on ! way he decid$ fir/ to /op 
at ! ,evans h\se1 :i* took u only a     
little bit out ( our way4 ,!re he made a
 m9ute exam9ation ( ! body ( ! "y man4  
,irv+ ,evans _h be5 a h&some fell[ & !  
trag$y ( 8 dea? _h be5 a sad bl[ to 8   
family4 ,h[ev]1 ,i %all n dwell on t1 z 
x is no "p ( my /ory4  ,k5n$y 0 eag] to 
see ! r$ spot 9 ! pit ( ! /oma* ( ! dead
 man ( :i* ev]yone _h spok54  ,he look$ 

at x closely1 z ,i did also1 al?\gh ,i  
c\ld make no?+ ( x4 ,evans _h compla9$ (
 a burn+1 /++ s5sation1 dur+ 8 mom5ts ( 
consci\sness & ! m>k _h _h a flu%$1     
angry look4 ,x seem$ z ?\gh a sort (    
cru/ _h =m$ ov] x1 :i* n[ 0 a%5 :ite4   
,craig did n sp5d z long z ,i _h        
anticipat$ at ! ,evans h\se1 b1 al?\gh  
he said no?+1 ,i c\ld tell by !         
expression ( 8 face t he 0 satisfi$ ) ! 
conclusions :i* he drew f ! exam9ation4 
,yet ,i c\ld n see t ! comb9ation (     
circum/ances look$ mu* bett] = ,fras]   
,f]ris4  ,we w5t on n[ to ! t[n & !re we
 _h no tr\ble 9 meet+ ! au?orities &    
gett+ !m to talk4 ,9 fact1 !y seem$ q   
eag] to ju/ify !mselves4  ,z we pass$   
d[n ! ma9 /reet1 ,mrs4 ,f]ris's *auffeur
 m5tion$ ! fact t a local physician1    
,dr4 ,wel*1 0 also ! ,coron] ( ! c\nty4 
,k5n$y ask$ him to /op at ! doctor's    
(fice1 & we ent]$4  ,a mo/ un=tunate    
occurr5ce1 prefac$ ! doctor z we seat$  
ourselves4  ,y assume1 !n1 t x 0 ! bl[ t
 kill$ ,evans8 ask$ ,k5n$y po9t$ly4  ,! 

doctor look$ at him a mom5t4 ,(         
c\rse--:y n8 he dem&$ argum5tatively1 z 
?\gh we _h come all ! way f ! city = !  
sole purpose ( impugn+ 8 m$ical         
integrity4 ,i suppose y "k ! classical  
case ( ! "y man :o 0 com+ out ( ! !at]1 
:5 "s ( ! p>ty began indulg+ 9 r boi/]\s
 horse play8 ,"o b5t ano!r quietly ov] 8
 arm & tapp$ him a %>p bl[ ) ! dis5gag$ 
h& on ! /ret*$ abdom54 ,! bl[ fell "r   
ov] ! sol> plexus &1 to ! surprise (    
ev]yone1 ! "y man di$4  ,! ,coron] _h   
ris5 & 0 pac+ ! room sl[ly4 ,i c\ld cite
 innum]able cases4 ,ev]yone und]/&s t a 
bl[ may be fatal because ( %ock to !    
sol> plexus4 ,9 su* a case no po/-mortem
 trace might be f\nd & ! bl[ c\ld ev5 be
 a light "o4  ,= in/ance1 9 a fight a   
bl[ might be /ruck & ! recipi5t fall    
dead4 ,if ! m$ical exam9] %\ld f9d no?+ 
on hold+ ! autopsy :i* w\ld h caus$     
sudd5 dea?1 he c te/ify t a %ock to !   
sol> plexus w cause dea? & t !          
po/-mortem exam9ation w give no evid5ce 
to support or disprove ! /atem5t4 ,!    

absolute abs5ce1 h[ev]1 ( any reason or 
( injury to ! o!r organs w add weight to
 8 te/imony1 evid5ce ( ! bl[ be+ pres5t4
  ,& y ?9k ?is 0 su* a case8 ask$       
,k5n$y1 ) j a trace ( a *all5ge 9 8     
tone4  ,c]ta9ly1 repli$ ! ,coron]4      
,c]ta9ly4 ,we "k t a bl[ 0 /ruck--9 all 
probability h>d en\gh to affect ! sol>  
plexus4  ,x 0 evid5t1 9 8 m9d at lea/1 t
 "y ,f]ris 0 guilty & ,k5n$y rose to g1 
refra9+ f antagoniz+ him by fur!r       
que/ions4  ,we next visit$ ! c\nty c\rt 
h\se1 :i* 0 n f> f ! doctor's (fice4    
,!re1 ! %]iff1 a "y man1 met u & seem$  
will+ to talk ov] ! evid5ce :i* s f> _h 
be5 une>!d 9 ! case4  ,9 8 (fice 0 a    
trunk1 a *eap br[n affair1 9 :i* ! body 
( ! un=tunate /ew>d1 ,b5son1 _h be5     
f\nd4  ,q likely ! trunk _h be5 c>ri$ to
 ! spot 9 a c> & ?r[n (f1 ! %]iff       
expla9$4 ,a c\ple ( boys happ5$ to f9d  
x4 ,!y told ( _! f9d & "o ( ! con/ables 
op5$ ! trunk1 !n call$ u up "h4 ,9 !    
trunk 0 ! body ( a man1 cr\*$1 ! head   
=c$ back betwe5 ! knees4  ,i'd l to see 

,b5son's body1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y4  ,v well1 
,i'll g ) y1 return$ ! %]iff4 ,x's at ! 
und]tak]'s--our only local morgue4  ,z  
we walk$ sl[ly up ! /reet1 ! %]iff w5t  
on1 j to %[ t c\ntry z well z city      
detectives knew a ?+ or two4 ,!re are j 
two ?+s 9 :i* ?is diff]s f ! ord9>y     
b>rel or trunk murd] y read ab\t4  ,:at 
are !y8 enc\rag$ ,craig4  ,well1 we "k !
 victim4 ,!re wasn't any difficulty ab\t
 id5tify+ him4 ,we "k x wasn't really a 
,black ,h& crime1 al?\gh ev]y?+ seems to
 h be5 done to make x look l "o1 & !    
body 0 left 9 ! mo/ lonely "p ( !       
c\ntry4  ,& !n ! trunk4 ,we h trac$ x   
easily to ! ,club ,h\se4 ,x 0 ,b5son's  
own trunk--_h be5 up 9 8 own room1 :i* 0
 lock$4  ,8 own trunk8 repeat$ ,craig1  
sudd5ly becom+ int]e/$4 ,h[ c\ld anyone 
take x out1 )\t be+ se58 ,didn't anyone 
he> any?+8  ,no4 ,app>5tly n4 ,none ( ! 
o!r s]vants seem to h he>d a ?+4 ,i     
don't "k h[ x c\ld h be5 got out1       
especially z 8 door 0 lock$ & we f\nd ! 
keys on him4 ,b--well1 x 04 ,t's all4   

,we _h rea*$ ! und]tak]'s4  ,! body (   
,b5son 0 horribly mangl$ ab\t ! head &  
*e/1 p>ticul>ly ! m\?4 ,x seem$ z if a  
great hole _h be5 torn 9 him1 & he mu/ h
 di$ in/antly4 ,k5n$y exam9$ ! grewsome 
rema9s mo/ c>efully4  ,:at _h done x1 ,i
 wond]$8 ,c\ld ! man h be5 drugg$1      
p]haps1 & !n %ot8  ,maybe x 0 a dum-dum 
bullet1 ,i sugge/$1 "o ( ^? t mu%rooms  
out & produces su* frightful w\nds4  ,b 
assum+ x ent]$ ! front1 !re is no exit 9
 ! back1 ! %]iff put 9 quickly1 & no    
bullet has be5 f\nd4  ,well1 if he      
wasn't %ot1 ,i p]si/$1 x mu/ h be5 a    
bl[1 & x seems impossible t a bl[ c\ld h
 produc$ su* an effect4  ,! %]iff said  
no?+1 evid5tly pref]r+ to ga9 ) sil5ce a
 reputation = sup]ior wisdom4 ,k5n$y _h 
no?+ bett] ?an sil5ce to (f]1 ei!r1 ?\gh
 he cont9u$ = a long "t exam9+ ! w\nds  
on ! body4  ,our la/ visit 9 t[n 0 to   
,fras] ,f]ris himself1 to :om ! %]iff   
agre$ to conduct u4 ,f]ris 0 conf9$ 9 ! 
grim1 d>k1 /one1 v9e-clad c\nty jail4   
,we _h sc>cely ent]$ ! =bidd+ door ( !  

place :5 we he>d a /ep beh9d u4 ,we     
turn$ to see ,mrs4 ,f]ris aga94 ,%e     
seem$ v mu* excit$1 & toge!r we f\r1 ) a
 keep]1 m\nt$ ! /eps4  ,z %e caught     
sight ( h] son1 beh9d ! b>s1 %e seem$ to
 gasp1 !n n]ve h]self up to face !      
ordeal ( see+ a ,f]ris 9 su* a place4   
,fras]1 %e cri$1 runn+ =w>d4  ,he 0     
tall1 sunburn$1 & look$ l a good        
sportsman1 a clean-cut fell[4 ,x 0 h>d  
to ?9k ( him z a murd]]1 especially aft]
 ! affect+ meet+ ( ! "m & son4  ,d y "k 
:at ,i've j he>d8 %e ask$ at l5g?1 !n   
sc>cely paus+ = a ^w ( enc\ragem5t f    
him1 %e w5t on4 ,:y1 !y say t ,b5son 0 9
 t[n e>ly t ev5+1 dr9k+ heavily & t t   
might acc\nt--  ,!re--!re y are1 he cri$
 e>ne/ly4 ,i don't "k :at happ5$4 ,b :y 
%\ld ,i d any?+ to him8 ,p]haps someone 
waylaid him4 ,t's plausible4  ,( c\rse1 
w>n$ ,k5n$y a few m9utes lat]1 y "k t   
any?+ y say may be us$ aga9/ y4 ,b--  ,i
 w talk1 int]rupt$ ! "y man             
passionately1 al?\gh my lawy] tells me n
 to4 ,:y1 x's all s silly4 ,z = ,irv+   

,evans1 ,i c't see h[ ,i c\ld h hit him 
h>d en\gh1 :ile1 z = poor ,b5son1--well1
 t's ev5 silli] yet4 ,h[ %\ld ,i "k     
any?+ ( t8 ,besides1 !y 7 all at ! ,club
 late t night1 all except me1 talk+ ov] 
!--! accid5t4 ,:y don't !y suspect      
,wyndham8 ,he 0 !re4 ,:y don't !y       
suspect--"s ( ! o!rs8  ,mrs4 ,f]ris 0   
try+ to keep a brave face & h] son 0 m  
eag] to enc\rage h] ?an to d any?+ else4
  ,keep up a good he>t1 ,"m1 he call$1 z
 we f9ally left1 aft] 8 ?ank+ ,k5n$y mo/
 he>tily4 ,!y hav5't indict$ me yet1 & !
 gr& jury won't meet = a c\ple ( weeks4 
,lots ( ?+s may turn up be=e !n4  ,x 0  
evid5t t1 next to ! disgrace ( ! arre/1 
8 "m fe>$ ev5 m ! %ame ( an indictm5t & 
trial1 ev5 ?\gh x might end 9 an        
acquittal4 ,yet s f> we _h f\nd no "o1 z
 f> z ,i knew1 :o _h be5 able to give u 
a fact t contradict$ ! d$uctions ( !    
au?orities 9 ! case4     ,,*apt] ,,xxiv 
,,! ,,sol> ,,plexus   ,x 0 aft] ! d9n]  
h\r t we f\nd ourselves at ! ,c\ntry    
,club aga94 ,wyndham _h n come back f ! 

city1 b ,allison 0 !re & _h ga!r$ toge!r
 all ! ,club help s t ,k5n$y might "q   
!m4  ,he did "q !m d[n 9 ! lock]-room1  
,i ?\ght p]haps = ! moral effect4 ,!    
*ef1 :om ,i _h suspect$ ( kn[+ some?+1 0
 !re1 b prov$ to be un5light5+4 ,9 fact1
 no "o seem$ to h any?+ to contribute4  
,q ! contr>y4 ,!y c\ld n ev5 sugge/ a   
way 9 :i* ! trunk might h be5 tak5 f !  
/ew>d's room4  ,t's n v difficult1 smil$
 ,k5n$y1 z "o aft] ano!r ! s]vants      
ass]t$ t x w\ld be impossible to get x  
ar\nd ! turns 9 ! /airs )\t mak+ a      
noise4 ,:]e 0 ,b5son's room8  ,! *ef l$ 
! way to ! door1 t by :i* we _h gone out
 be=e :5 we _h se5 ! rubbi% b>rels4  ,up
 !re1 he po9t$1 on ! ?ird floor4  ,!re 0
 no fire escape1 nor 7 !re any outside  
balconies1 & ,i wond]$ h[ ,craig w\ld   
acc\nt = x4  ,someone might h l[]$ !    
trunk f ! w9d[ by a rope1 might !y n8 he
 ask$ simply4  ,yes1 return$ ! *ef1     
unconv9c$4 ,b 8 door 0 lock$ & he _h 8  
keys 9 8 pocket4 ,h[ ab\t t8  ,x doesn't
 foll[ t he 0 kill$ 9 8 room1 does x8   

ask$ ,craig4 ,9 fact x is altoge!r      
impossible t he c\ld h be54 ,suppose he 
0 kill$ outside4 ,might n someone h tak5
 ! keys f 8 pocket1 gone up to ! room   
)\t mak+ any noise & let ! trunk d[n "h 
by a rope8 ,!n if he _h dropp$ ! rope1  
lock$ ! door1 & return$ ! keys to       
,b5son's pockets--h[ ab\t t8  ,x 0 s    
simple & feasible t no "o c\ld d5y x4   
,yet ,i c\ld n see t x fur!r$ u 9 solv+ 
! great] my/]y4  ,we w5t up to ! /ew>d's
 room & se>*$ 8 belong+s1 )\t f9d+ any?+
 t m]it$ ev5 t exp5diture ( "t4  ,h[ev]1
 ,craig 0 confid5t n[1 al?\gh he did n  
say mu*1 & by a late tra9 we return$ to 
! city 9 pref]5ce to us+ ,mrs4 ,f]ris's 
c>4  ,all ! next day1 ,k5n$y 0 engag$1  
ei!r 9 8 laboratory or on an err& t took
 him d[nt[n dur+ mo/ ( ! middle ( ! day4
  ,:5 he return$1 ,i c\ld tell by ! look
 on 8 face t 8 que/1 :atev] x _h be51 _h
 be5 successful4  ,i f\nd ,wyndham--_h a
 long talk ) him1 0 all he w\ld say 9   
answ] to my que/ions1 be=e he w5t back  
to :atev] he 0 /udy+ at ! laboratory4   

,i _h made "s inquiries myself 9 !      
meantime1 especially ab\t ,wyndham4 ,z  
ne>ly z ,i c\ld make out1 ! "y m5 at    
,bri> ,lake 7 afflict$ ) a disease :i*  
is v preval5t--! desire to get ri*      
quick4 ,9 t respect ,fras] ,f]ris 0 no  
bett] ?an ! re/4 ,nor 0 ,irv+ ,evans4   
,allan ,wyndham _h be5 a plung] almo/ f 
boyhood1 & only ! tight re9 t 8         
cons]vative fa!r held ov] him _h *eck$  
him4 ,sometimes ! "y m5 succe$$1 & t _h 
s]v$ only to :et _! appetites = m easy  
money4 ,b m (t5 !y _h fail$4 ,9 mo/     
cases1 x seem$1 ,dean ,allison's firm _h
 be5 ! brok]s ?r\gh :om !y dealt1       
p>ticul>ly ,wyndham4  ,9 fact1 ) m "t on
 my h&s dur+ ! day ?an ,i knew :at to d 
)1 9 ! abs5ce ( ,k5n$y ,i _h evolv$     
sev]al v pretty little !ories ( ! case  
:i* involv$ ! rec\p+ ( dissipat$ =tunes 
by m>riage ) ! popul> "y heiress4  ,x 0 
late 9 ! aft]noon t ! telephone rang1 &1
 z ,craig 0 busy1 ,i answ]$ x4  ,oh1    
,mr4 ,jameson1 ,i he>d ,mrs4 ,f]ris's   
voice call+ ov] long di/ance f ,bri>    

,lake anxi\sly1 is ,mr4 ,k5n$y !re8     
,please let me speak to him4  ,i ha/5$  
to h& ov] ! receiv] to ,k5n$y & wait$   
impati5tly until he f9i%$4  ,a special  
gr& jury has be5 empanell$ = t5 o'clock 
tomorr[ morn+1 he said z he turn$ f !   
wire & fac$ me1 & unless we c d some?+  
imm$iately1 !y are sure to f9d an       
indictm5t4  ,k5n$y sc[l$ & %ook 8 head4 
,x looks to me z if someone 7 mighty    
anxi\s to railroad "y ,f]ris along1 he  
rem>k$1 hurry+ across to ! laboratory   
table1 :]e he _h be5 at "w1 & fl++ (f 8 
/a9$ smock4  ,well1 are y ready = !m8 ,i
 ask$4  ,yes1 he repli$ quickly4 ,call  
up & f9d out ab\t ! tra9s to ,bri>      
,lake1 ,walt]4  ,i f\nd t we c\ld easily
 get a tra9 t w\ld h u at ! ,c\ntry     
,club n lat] ?an eight o'clock1 & z ,i  
turn$ to tell ,k5n$y1 ,i saw him        
c>efully pack+ into a case a peculi>    
%ap$ flask :i* he _h be5 us+ 9 "s ( 8   
exp]im5ts4 ,outside x _h a felt jacket1 
& z we hurri$ ov] to ! /ation ,k5n$y    
c>ri$ x c>efully 9 ! case by a h&le4  ,!

 ride out to ,bri> ,lake seem$          
int]m9able1 b x 0 bett] ?an go+ up 9 a  
c> at night1 & ,mrs4 ,f]ris met u       
anxi\sly at ! /ation4  ,?us1 e>ly 9 !   
ev5+1 9 ! little reception room ( !     
,c\ntry ,club1 !re ga!r$ a l>ge p>ty1 n 
! l>ge/ x _h se51 b c]ta9ly ! mo/       
int]e/$4 ,9 fact no "o1 except "y       
,f]ris1 _h any legitimate reason = /ay+ 
away4  ,dead m5 tell no tales1 rem>k$   
,k5n$y s5t5ti\sly1 z he fac$ u1 hav+    
:isp]$ to me t he want$ me to take a    
position ne> ! door & /ay !re1 no matt] 
:at happ5$4 ,b1 he add$1 sci5ce op5s _! 
mute m\?s4 ,sci5ce has become ! greate/ 
detective 9 ! _w4  ,once ^u a "t1 x is  
true1 _m a murd]] 0 acquitt$ & p]haps _m
 an innoc5t man hang$ because (         
appe>ances4 ,b today ! assass9 has to   
reckon ) ! *emi/1 ! physici/1 ! ,x-ray  
exp]t1 & a ho/ ( o!rs4 ,!y />t on 8     
track & =ce him to face damn+1          
dispassionate sci5tific facts4  ,&1 he  
w5t on1 rais+ 8 voice a trifle1 sci5ce1 
) equal zeal1 br+s facts to cle> an     

innoc5t man prote/+ 8 innoc5ce1 b       
condemn$ by circum/antial evid5ce4  ,= a
 mom5t he paus$1 & :5 he began aga9 x 0 
evid5t t he 0 go+ /raight to ! po9t at  
issue 9 ! case4  ,v>i\s !ories h be5    
confid5tly propos$ 9 ?is un=tunate      
affair :i* result$ 9 ! dea? ( ,irv+     
,evans1 he proce$$4 ,"o ?+ ,i want cle> 
at ! />t4 ,! fact is1 & ,i am n runn+   
c\nt] to x1 t we h :at might v well be  
call$ two bra9s4 ,"o is 9 ! head1 does !
 ?9k+4 ,! o!r is a sort ( abdom9al bra91
 controls nutrition & a ho/ ( o!r       
functions1 automatically4 ,x is ! sol>  
plexus--! epiga/ric1 sympa!tic n]v\s    
sy/em4  ,x is true t ! knot ( life is   
situat$ at ! base ( ! cranial bra94 ,"o 
jab ( a ne$le & x might be quickly      
ext+ui%$4 ,yet d]angem5t ( ! s-call$    
abdom9al bra9 de/roys life z            
effectually1 ?\gh p]haps n s quickly4 ,a
 %ock to ! abdom9al bra9 ( "y ,evans has
 be5 adm9i/]$--9 a mo/ rem>kable mann]4 
,i c\ld see ,mrs4 ,f]ris wat*+ him ) />+
 eyes1 = ,k5n$y 0 do+ j :at _m a lawy]  

does--/at+ fir/ ! bad side ( "o's case1 
& seem+ to e/abli% ! cont5tion ( !      
opposite side4  ,x 0 an un=tunate bl[1  
he admitt$1 p]haps ev5 dang]\s4 ,b x 0 n
 deadly4 ,:at happ5$ d[n/airs 9 !       
gymnasium mu/ be tak5 into acc\nt ) :at 
happ5$ aft]w>ds 9 ! lock] & bo? consid]$
 9 ! light ( ! dea? ( ! /ew>d1 ,b5son1  
lat]4  ,! m>k on ! /oma* ( ,irv+ ,evans 
0 due to some?+ else ?an ! bl[4 ,ev]yone
 has notic$ t4 ,x 0 a peculi> m>k & no  
m]e bl[ c\ld h produc$ x4  ,weird 9     
conception1 horribly cunn+ 9 its        
execution 0 ?is attempt at murd]1 he    
add$1 tak+ f ! case ! peculi> flask :i* 
,i _h se5 him pack up4  ,he held x up s 
t we c\ld see4 ,x 0 evid5tly compos$ (  
two flasks1 "o inside ! o!r1 ! out]     
encas$ 9 felt1 z ,i _h se51 ! inn] coat$
 ) quicksilv] & a space betwe5 ! two4   
,inside 0 a peculi> liquid :i* _h a     
blui% t+e1 b 0 odorless4 ,f ! surface a 
?9 vapor seem$ to rise4  ,x 0 n cork$1 b
 f ! neck he pull$ out a light cotton   
/opp]4 ,z he agitat$ ! liquid slightly1 

x _h ! appe>ance ( boil+4 ,he turn$ ov] 
! bottle & spill$ "s ( x on ! floor4 ,x 
evaporat$ in/antly1 l wat] on a hot     
/ove4  ,!n he took f 8 pocket a small t9
 cup & p\r$ out into x "s ( ! liquid1   
lett+ x /& a few mom5ts1 smok+4  ,he    
p\r$ back ! liquid into ! flask & dropp$
 ! cup on ! h>dwood floor4 ,x %att]$ z  
if x _h be5 compos$ ( glass4  ,"o ( ! m5
 9 ! front r[ mov$ =w>d to pick up !    
pieces4  ,j a m9ute1 int]f]$ ,k5n$y4 ,if
 y ?9k any?+ ( y\r f+]s1 let t be4 ,9 ! 
rubbi%1 j outside ! lock]-room1 ye/]day1
 ,i discov]$ ! rema9s ( a !rmos bottle &
 ( a metal cup l ?is :i* ,i h dropp$ on 
! floor4 ,i h exam9$ ! cup1 or r !      
pieces4  ,^! two murd]s 7 committ$ by "o
 ( ! lea/ kn[n ag5cies--freez+1 by      
liquid air4  ,i c\ld he> a gasp f !     
auditors & ,i knew t someone's he>t mu/ 
be icy at ! discov]y ( ! port5t\s       
secret4  ,i h "s liquid air 9 ?is ,dew> 
flask1 cont9u$ ,k5n$y4 ,t is :at liquid 
air is usually kept 94 ,b x may be kept 
9 an ord9>y !rmos bottle q well1 also4  

,if ,i %\ld drop j a m9ute bit on my h&1
 x w\ld probably boil away )\t hurt+ me1
 = x evaporates s quickly t x =ms a lay]
 or film ( air :i* prev5ts contact ( !  
t]ribly cold liquid air & ! sk94 ,i     
might ?ru/ my f+] 9 x = a few seconds & 
x w\ld n hurt me4 ,b if ,i kept x !re my
 f+] w\ld become brittle & actually     
break (f1 s t]rible is ! cold ( "o      
hundr$ & n9ety degrees bel[ z]o1        
,c5tigrade4 ,x produces an in/antane\s  
fro/ bite1 numb+ s quickly t x (t5 is   
h>dly felt4 ,plac$ on ! surface ( fle%  
?is way1 x *anges x to a pe>ly-:ite1    
solid surface4 ,! ?aw+1 h[ev]1 is       
int5sely pa9ful1 giv+ fir/ a burn+      
s5sation1 !n a /++1 flu%$ feel+1 exactly
 z ,irv+ ,evans describ$ :at he felt4 ,!
 "p affect$ swells & a cru/ =ms :i* x   
takes weeks to heal1 suppos+ ! "p       
affect$ is small4  ,someone1 9 t        
lock]-room1 cont9u$ ,craig1 plac$ a     
piece ( cotton soak$ 9 liquid air on !  
/oma* ( ! unconsci\s boy4 ,in/antly1    
be=e anyone notic$ x1 x froze ?r\gh to !

 sol> plexus4 ,ultimately t 0 b\nd to   
kill him4 ,& :o w\ld be> ! blame8 ,:y1  
,fras] ,f]ris1 ( c\rse4 ,! accid5t 9 !  
b\t af=d$ an opportunity to use ! /uff  
:i* ! crim9al 9 8 wilde/ dreams c\ld n h
 bett]$4  ,h[ ab\t ,b5son1 ! /ew>d8     
spoke up a voice4  ,we turn$4 ,x 0 !    
,coron]1 loa? ev5 yet to give up !      
(ficial !ory4  ,t 0 a pure accid5t1     
return$ ,k5n$y4 ,! club1 z y "k1 is a   
temp]ance club4 ,b ! memb]s1 or at lea/ 
"s ( !m1 keep dr9ks 9 _! lock]s4 ,!     
/ew>d1 ,b5son1 knew ?is4 ,x has be5 %[n 
t ,b5son _h be5 9 t[n t ev5+1 _h imbib$ 
consid]ably4  ,he _h obs]v$ "o ( !      
memb]s ( ! club take f 8 lock] some?+   
:i* he ?\ght 0 to revive "y ,evans4 ,:at
 m natural1 !n1 ?an = him to visit t    
lock] :5 he return$ f t[n1 op5 x8  ,he  
f\nd a !rmos bottle4 ,in/ead ( ! regul> 
cork1 x _h a light cotton /opp]4 ,9 8   
muddl$ /ate1 ! /ew>d did n /op to       
?9k--ev5 if he _h1 he w\ld h se5 no     
reason = c>efully cork+ some?+ t 0 n    
design$ to keep 9 a !rmos bottle4  ,b   

in/ead ( :iskey1 ! bottle conta9$ :at _h
 n yet evaporat$ ( ! liquid air4 ,y may 
n "k x1 b liquid air c be easily pres]v$
 9 op5 vessels ) a /opp] :i* all[s !    
passage ( ! evaporat$ air4 ,h[ev]       
p>adoxical x may seem1 x _c be kept 9   
clos$ vessels1 = enorm\s pressures are  
at once br\ght into play4  ,b5son op5$ !
 bottle & p\r$ out "s ( ! cont5ts 9 !   
metal cup-cap ( ! bottle4 ,he rais$ x to
 8 lips--swall[$ x--or t mu* ( x t did n
 p>alyze him4 ,x exp&$1 boil$1          
explod$--produc+ ! gha/ly w\nd by almo/ 
lit]ally bl[+ him up4  ,! own] ( !      
liquid air1 :o mu/ h _h x !re wait+ a   
*ance to use x1 0 probably wait+ up 9 ! 
club rooms n[1 = a *ance to get rid ( x 
z evid5ce4 ,he mu/ h he>d a noise d[n 9 
! lock]-room4 ,:at if he _h be5 obs]v$ &
 someone 7 d[n !re inve/igat+8  ,he     
hurri$ d[n !re4 ,to 8 horror1 9 !       
d>kness1 he f\nd ,b5son1 already dead1 !
 lock] op51 ! !rmos bottle brok5 & ! cup
 sma%$4  ,x 0 a t]rible clew4 ,he mu/   
get t body away f ! lock]-room4 ,he c\ld

 ?r[ ! bottle out2 no "o c\ld suspect   
any?+ :5 ! air _h evaporat$1 z x soon   
w\ld1 n[4 ,b ! body--t 0 diff]5t4 ,!    
me?od he employ$ 9 gett+ rid ( ! body1  
,i ?9k y all mu/ already "k4  ,i _h be5 
wat*+ ,wyndham's face ke5ly4 ,z ,craig  
proce$$1 ,i fanci$ t ,i saw 9 x a look (
 />tl$ surprise4  ,0 x "o ( ,anita      
,allison's _m admir]s :o did ?is ?+8    
,craig ask$ sudd5ly4  ,i turn$ f        
,wyndham to ,craig1 wond]+4 ,:at did he 
mean8 ,ev]yone _h accept$ t !ory ( !    
case s f>4 ,no "o _h que/ion$ x4 ,b1 ) 8
 words1 x sudd5ly dawn$ on me t x 0 by  
no means ! only !ory4  ,be=e ,craig c\ld
 g on1 !re came a />tl$ cry f "o ( !    
ladies4  ,oh--he did x--he did x6       
,anita ,allison _h fa9t$4  ,dean        
,allison 0 at 8 si/]'s side 9 a mom5t4  
,"h--let me get h] out into ! fre% air1 
he cri$4  ,wyndham _h />t$ up at ! words
 & ! two m5 7 fac+ ea* o!r ov] ! girl :o
 _h already discov]$ ! secret1 b _h kept
 x lock$ 9 h] brea/4  ,walt]--lock t    
door1 rang out ,craig's voice           

m]cilessly4  ,i back$ up1 my :ole weight
 aga9/ x1 & turn$ ! key4  ,i "k ! gossip
 ( ,wall ,/reet n[1 %ot out ,k5n$y      
hurri$ly1 fac+ ! cr[d :o 7 all on _!    
feet4 ,today ,i h visit$ a numb] (      
speculative "y g5tlem5 ( ,bri> ,lake1   
includ+ ,mr4 ,wyndham4  ,! tru? is t    
,miss ,allison's =tune 0 gone--dissipat$
 9 an unsuccessful be> raid on ! m>ket 9
 :i* o!rs h %>$--& lo/4  ,if %e _h      
m>ri$1 x meant an acc\nt+ & surr5d]+ (  
h] full control ( h] =tune4 ,y h done   
?is da/>dly crime1 ,dean ,allison1 to   
keep y\r si/] 9 ignorance ( ! loss & to 
save y\r own mis]able reputation6       
,,*apt] ,,xxv  ,,! ,,demon ,,eng9e      
,p]petual motion s\nds fooli%1 ,i'll    
admit4 ,b1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 ?is        
,creighton self-act+ motor does ?+s ,i  
c't expla94  ,craig look$ p]plex$ z he  
gaz$ f ,adele ,laidlaw1 8 "y & v pretty 
cli5t1 to me4 ,we _h he>d a great deal  
ab\t ! "y lady1 "o ( ! weal?ie/         
heiresses ( ! c\ntry4 ,%e paus$ a mom5t 
& look$ at u1 evid5tly ?9k+ ( ! _m      

s*emes :i* p _h devis$ to get h] money  
away f h]4  ,really1 %e w5t on1 ,i      
hav5't a fri5d to :om ,i c g1 except    
,mr4 ,tre%am--no "o on :om ,i c rely =  
advice 9 a case ( ?is k9d4  ,sev]al     
times1 ,i recollect$1 !re _h be5 rumors 
t %e 0 engag$ to ,leslie ,tre%am1 :o _h 
be5 ! lawy] = h] fa!r be=e 8 dea?4 ,!   
rumors _h always be5 d5i$1 h[ev]1 ?\gh  
,i am sure x 0 n ,tre%am's fault4  ,y   
see1 %e cont9u$1 z ,craig /ill said     
no?+1 fa!r 0 ( a me*anical turn ( m9d2 9
 fact s 0 ! :ole family1 & ,i suppose ,i
 h inh]it$ x4 ,i'm j crazy ov] c>s &    
boats4 ,anyh[1 ,i 0 introduc$ to ,mr4   
,creighton & he seem$ s e>ne/ & 8 "w 0 s
 int]e/+ t ,i b\ght a little ( 8 /ock4  
,n[ he ne$s m money to p]fect 8 motor4  
,p]haps ! ?+ is all "r1 b1--well1 :at d 
,i really "k ab\t x8  ,"o c\ld n help   
feel+ a great deal ( sympa?y = h]4 ,%e 0
 n ! type ( woman :o w\ld be easily     
misl$1 yet ,i c\ld imag9e t %e mu/      
con/antly be on h] gu>d aga9/ s*em]s ( e
 sort lurk+ to take advantage ( e :im4  

,h'm1 mus$ ,k5n$y1 ) a smile1 eye+ our  
visitor ke5ly4 ,i've be5 consult$ on    
ab\t ev]y?+ f pickpockets to ! f\nta9 ( 
y\?4 ,n[ x's p]petual motion4 ,i mu/    
say1 ,miss ,laidlaw1 y\r case has a     
decid$ sci5tific int]e/ = me1 anyh[1 z  
well z p]sonal4 ,i'd l to look at ?is   
wond]ful ma*9e1 if y c arrange x4  ,i c 
d t1 %e answ]$ confid5tly ) a glance (  
?anks to ,k5n$y = 8 help4 ,may ,i use   
y\r telephone8  ,%e _h to wait "s "t =  
an answ] to h] call1 b f9ally %e got    
,creighton on ! wire4  ,he _h j come 91 
%e said1 hang+ up ! receiv]4 ,he'll be  
!re if we come d[n "r away4  ,adele     
,laidlaw drove u d[nt[n 9 h] own        
high-p[]$ c>1 :i*1 true to h] me*anical 
in/9cts1 %e h&l$ h]self4 ,%e drove x v  
well1 too4 ,9 fact1 ,i felt saf] ?an )  
,k5n$y1 :o1 l _m driv]s1 0 incl9$ to    
take *ances :5 he 0 at ! :eel himself & 
c\ld see :at he 0 up aga9/1 ?\gh he     
balk$ sev]ely :5 anyone else did x4  ,h[
 did y become int]e/$ 9 ?is p]petual    
motion ma*9e1 ,miss ,laidlaw8 he ask$ z 

we ?read$ our way ?r\gh ! d5se traffic4 
,well1 ,i suppose ev]yone kn[s t ,i'm   
int]e/$ 9 eng9es1 %e repli$1 z we wait$ 
= ! signal f a policeman at a           
cross-/reet4 ,i've sp5t a good deal on  
!m 9 spe$-boats & 9 rac+ c>s1 too4 ,an  
acqua9tance1 a fri5d ( ,mr4             
,creighton's1 a ,mrs4 ,b>ry1--,mr4      
,tre%am kn[s h]1--?\ght p]haps ,i might 
use ! motor someh[ & told me ( x4 ,i w5t
 d[n to see x &--,i mu/ confess t x     
fasc9at$ me4  ,i _h n yet q got myself  
accu/om$ to a girl :o 0 int]e/$ 9 su*   
?+s1 ?\gh1 9 ^! days1 ,i mu/ confess1   
saw no reason :y %e %\ld n be4 ,k5n$y 0 
divid+ 8 att5tion betwe5 ! admirable    
mann] 9 :i* %e h&l$ ! c> & h] v         
expressive face4 ,0 x really1 ,i wond]$1
 t ,creighton1 m ?an 8 motor1 has       
fasc9at$ h]8  ,%e drew up be=e !        
,consolidat$ ,bank ,build+1 a mod]n /eel
 & concrete /ructure 9 ! upt[n bus9ess  
section4  ,! laboratory is next door1 %e
 said1 z %e let ! c> slide ahead a few  
feet m4 ,mr4 ,tre%am's (fice is 9 !     

,bank ,build+4 ,i've _h to g !re s (t5  
s9ce fa!r di$ t ,i /opp$ ?r\gh =ce (    
habit1 ,i suppose4  ,m9dful ( ,k5n$y's  
admiration = ,freud1 8 !ory ( =gett+    
occurr$ to me4 ,0 !re any significance 9
 ! mi/ake8 ,_h ! unconsci\s blund]      
betray$ some?+ :i* p]haps %e h]self     
consci\sly did n realize8 ,0 x ,tre%am1 
aft] all1 :om %e really admir$ & want$  
to see8  ,creighton's work%op 0 9 an old
 two-/ory brick build+1 evid5tly await+ 
only ! developm5t ( ! neighborhood be=e 
x 0 torn d[n4 ,mean:ile ! two build+s 7 
9 m>k$ contra/4 ,:i* ( !m typifi$       
,creighton8 ,0 he hopelessly out ( date1
 or really ahead ( 8 "t8 ,i mu/ confess 
to hav+ _h a lively curiosity to meet ! 
inv5tor4  ,! entrance to ! laboratory f 
! /reet 0 ?r\gh a l>ge door into a room 
9 :i* 0 a c>p5t]'s b5*4 ,on "o side 7 "s
 p[]ful w9*es & a l>ge assortm5t (      
tools4 ,9 ! back ( ! room a big door l$ 
to ano!r room on ! gr\nd floor to ! re>4
  ,mr4 ,creighton's is up/airs1 rem>k$  
,miss ,laidlaw1 turn+ pa/ ! lock$ door &

 go+ up a worn flight ( /eps4  ,^: %op  
is t8 ask$ ,k5n$y1 indicat+ ! door4  ,i 
don't "k :o r5ts ^! rooms d[n "h1 %e    
repli$4  ,up ! /airway we w5t to !      
second floor4 ,on ! top l&+ /ood "s old 
ma*9]y4 ,9 a little room on "o side 0 a 
big desk1 z well z books1 in/rum5ts1 &  
draw+s ( all sorts4 ,opposite ?is room 0
 ano!r little room1 ) _m bits ( exp5sive
 ma*9]y on %elves & tables4 ,back ( ^!  
two1 & up a /ep1 0 a l>ge room1 ! full  
wid? ( ! build+1 ! work%op ( ! inv5tor1 
into :i* %e l$ u4  ,i've br\ght a c\ple 
( fri5ds ( m9e :o may be int]e/$ 9 !    
vibrodyne motor1 ,miss ,laidlaw         
introduc$ u4  ,v pleas$ to meet y1      
g5tlem51 ,creighton return$4 ,be=e we   
get ?r\gh1 ,i ?9k y'll agree ) me t y   
nev] dream$ ( any?+ m wond]ful ?an ?is  
motor ( m9e4  ,he 0 a l>ge1 p[]fully    
built man1 ) a huge head1 squ>e jaw )   
heavy side :isk]s1 & eyes t mov$        
re/lessly "u a %ock ( iron-gray hair4   
,:e!r x 0 ! actual size ( 8 head or 8   
bu%y hair1 "o got ! impression t 8      

cranium h\s$ a sup]abundant supply (    
bra9s4  ,e action 0 n]v\s & quick4 ,ev5 
8 spee* 0 rapid1 z ?\gh 8 ideas         
out/ripp$ 8 tongue4 ,he impress$ "o z   
absorb$ 9 ?is ?+ :i* he said frankly _h 
be5 8 life /udy1 e n]ve /ra9$ to make x 
succe$ & conv9ce p4  ,j :at is ?is =ce y
 call vibrodyne8 ask$ ,craig1 gaz+ ab\t 
at ! curi\s litt] ( p>aph]nalia 9 ! %op4
  ,( c\rse1 ,i'm will+ to admit1 began  
,creighton quickly1 9 ! tone ( a man :o 
0 us$ to %[+ 8 ma*9e to skeptical       
/rang]s b mu/ be all[$ to expla9 x 9 8  
own way1 t nev] be=e by any me*anical1  
electrical1 !rmal1 or o!r means has a   
self-mov+ motor be5 made4  ,he paus$    
app>5tly to let u grasp ! significance (
 :at he 0 ab\t to say4 ,b1 is x         
impossible1 z "s ( ! old sci5ti/s h     
prov$ to _! own satisfaction x mu/ be8  
he w5t on1 w>m+ up to 8 subject4 ,may   
!re n be molecul>1 atomic1 ev5 ionic    
=ces ( :i* we h n dream$8 ,y h only to g
 back a few ye>s & /udy radioactivity1 =
 in/ance1 to see h[ ideas may *ange4    

,today1 he add$ emphatically1 !         
cons]vation ( en]gy1 9 ! old s5se at    
lea/1 has be5 ov]?r[n4 ,g5tlem51 all !  
old laws mu/ be modifi$ by my discov]y (
 vibrodyne4 ,i loose new new =ces--,i   
create en]gy6  ,i wat*$ him n>r[ly z he 
propos$ & rapidly answ]$ 8 own que/ions4
 ,he 0 talk+ q z mu* = ,miss ,laidlaw's 
b5efit1 ,i ?\ght1 z ours4 ,9 fact1 x 0  
evid5t t h] int]e/ 9 ! ma*9e & 9 himself
 pleas$ him greatly4  ,i knew already t 
?\gh ! se>* aft] p]petual motion ?r\gh  
c5turies _h br\ght failure1 /ill x      
captivat$ a c]ta9 type ( inv5tive m9d4  
,i knew also t1 j z ! exact squ>+ ( !   
circle & ! transmutation ( metals br\ght
 out "s great ma!matical discov]ies &   
mu* ( mod]n *emi/ry1 s p]petual motion  
_h br\ght out ! greate/ ( all           
g5]alizations ( physics--! cons]vation (
 en]gy4  ,yet "h 0 a man :o que/ion$ !  
infallibility ( t g5]alization4         
,actually tak+ ! ultra-mod]n view t     
matt] is a =m ( en]gy1 he 0 ass]t+ t    
en]gy 9 "s way might be creat$ or       

de/roy$1 at lea/ trans=m$ 9 a mann] t no
 "o _h ev] und]/ood be=e4 ,to him1      
radioactivity :i* _h ov]?r[n or amplifi$
 _m ( ! old ideas 0 only a beg9n+4  ,"h 
is ! ma*9e1 he po9t$ out at la/1 /ill   
talk+1 lead+ u pr\dly across ! litt]$   
floor ( 8 laboratory4  ,x seem$1 at fir/
 glance1 to consi/ ( a circul> iron     
frame1 ab\t a foot & a half 9 diamet]1  
firmly bolt$ to ! floor4  ,i h x fa/5$  
d[n because1 z y w see1 x develops su* a
 trem5d\s p[]1 expla9$ ! inv5tor1 add+1 
z he po9t$ above x1 ,t is all ! p[] is  
develop$ f1 too4  ,on a %elf 0 a        
,daniell batt]y ( f\r cells4 ,9 ! por\s 
cup 0 bi*romate ( pota% & 9 ! out]      
vessel dilute sulphuric acid4  ,let me  
%[ y h[ ,i get two & a half horsep[] out
 ( ?ree ounces ( z9c = n9e h\rs1 w5t on 
,creighton pr\dly4 ,z y d\btless "k1 !  
usual ?+ is "o horsep[] p] p\nd ( z9c p]
 h\r4 ,ultimately1 ,i expect to p]fect !
 process until ,i get a ?\s& horsep[] f 
an ounce 9 ?is vibrodyne motor4  ,he    
/>t$ ! eng9e by atta*+ ! wires f !      

comp>atively weak ,daniell cells4 ,sl[ly
 x began to move1 ga9+ spe$1 until      
f9ally ! v floor %ook f ! great p[] & ! 
rapidity ( ! motion4  ,x seem$ incr$ible
 t ! small curr5t f ! batt]y %\ld       
develop su* app>5t p[] & ,i look$ at    
,k5n$y 9 amazem5t4  ,!re's a            
c>elessly--or purposely--ill-balanc$    
fly:eel1 ,i suspect1 :isp]$ ,craig to me
 surreptiti\sly4  ,yes1 b ! p[]1 ,i     
p]si/$4  ,he %ook 8 head4 ,evid5tly he 0
 n conv9c$1 b _h no !ory1 yet4  ,adele  
,laidlaw look$ at ,craig que/ion+ly1 z  
?\gh to read :at he ?\ght ( x4 ,be=e h] 
he betray$ no?+4 ,n[ & !n %e w\ld look  
e>ne/ly at ,creighton4 ,x 0 evid5t t %e 
admir$ him v mu*1 yet !re seem$ to be   
some?+ ab\t him t %e did n q und]/&4  ,j
 !n ! telephone rang4 ,creighton /opp$ 8
 ma*9e & left u = a mom5t to answ] !    
call1 :ile ! eng9e sl[$ d[n & came to   
re/4  ,quickly ,k5n$y pull$ out 8 wat* &
 pri$ ! cry/al (f ! face4 ,he walk$ ov] 
to a bas9 & fill$ ! cry/al ) a few drops
 ( wat]4 ,!n he set x d[n on ! table4   

,i look$ at x closely4 ,z ne>ly z ,i    
c\ld make out1 !re seem$ to be a slight 
agitation on ! surface ( ! ?9 film (    
wat] 9 ! glass4 ,craig smil$ quietly to 
himself & flick$ ! wat] into ! s9k1     
return+ ! cry/al to 8 wat*4  ,i did n   
und]/& j :at x 0 t ,craig 0 aft]1 b ,i  
felt sure t !re 0 "s k9d ( vibration t  
he _h discov]$4  ,mean:ile1 we c\ld he> 
,creighton telephon+ & ,i notic$ t ,miss
 ,laidlaw 0 al]tly li/5+1 too4  ,:y1 no1
 ,i he>d him answ] monosyllabically b 9 
a tone t 0 c>efully modulat$1 n alone4  
,let me call y up--soon4  ,! conv]sation
 end$ almo/ z abruptly z x _h begun4    
,someh[1 x seem$ evid5t to me t         
,creighton _h be5 talk+ to a woman4     
,?\gh he app>5tly _h n want$ to say     
any?+ be=e u1 he c\ld n disguise ! fact4
 ,f 8 quick1 n]v\s mann] ) u1 ,i _h     
conclud$ t no m]e man c\ld h comm&$ s   
def]5tial a tone f him4  ,a mom5t lat]  
he rejo9$ u1 resum+ 8 praises ( 8 motor4
 ,by ?is "t ,i _h come to recognize t he
 0 a ma/] 9 ! manipulation ( fanta/ic   

t]ms1 :i* ,i1 at lea/1 did n und]/&4    
,!re91 p]haps1 lay _! pot5cy1 ?\gh ,i   
d\bt :e!r ,k5n$y himself knew :at       
,creighton meant :5 he talk$ ( pol>     
sympa?y1 int]-atomic e!r1 molecul>      
dis9tegration1 & orbitic *aos4  ,i saw t
 ,adele ,laidlaw 0 wat*+ ,creighton     
n>r[ly n[4 ,0 x on acc\nt ( ! telephone 
call8 ,:o _h x be58 ,p]haps1 x occurr$  
to me1 x 0 ,mrs4 ,b>ry4 ,0 ,creighton   
afraid ( ar\s+ ! jeal\sy ( ,adele       
,laidlaw8  ,!re seem$ to be no?+ m (    
importance t ,craig c\ld le>n at pres5t 
& we soon bade ,creighton good-by1 leav+
 ) ,miss ,laidlaw4 ,i notic$ t he lock$ 
! door aft] u z we w5t out4  ,i'd l to  
meet ?is ,mrs4 ,b>ry1 rem>k$ ,craig z we
 pass$ out ( ! build+4  ,he said x      
evid5tly to see j h[ ,miss ,laidlaw w\ld
 take x4 ,i ?9k ,i c arrange t1 repli$  
,adele ,laidlaw colorlessly4 ,i'll ask  
h] to visit me ?is aft]noon4 ,y c call  
casually4  ,we accompani$ h] to h] c>1  
promis+ to report z soon z possible if  
we discov]$ any?+ new4  ,i'm go+ 9 to   

call on ,tre%am1 rem>k$ ,craig1 turn+   
into ! ,bank ,build+4     ,,*apt] ,,xxvi
  ,,! ,,electrolysis ,,clew   ,z ,k5n$y 
walk$ ?r\gh ! corridor ( ! build+1 he   
paus$ & b5t d[n1 z ?\gh exam9+ ! wall4  
,i look$1 too4 ,!re 0 a crack 9 !       
concrete1 9 ! side wall t[>d !          
,creighton laboratory4  ,d y suppose    
vibration caus$ x8 ,i ask$1 rememb]+ 8  
wat* cry/al te/4  ,craig %ook 8 head4 ,!
 vibrations 9 a build+ c be %[n by a    
wat* glass full ( wat]4 ,y saw ! surface
 ( ! liquid ) its m9ute waves4 ,!re's   
vibration1 all "r1 b t is n ! cause (   
su* cracks z ^!4  ,he /ood = a mom5t    
reg>d+ ! crack att5tively4 ,on ! floor  
on :i* we 7 0 ! ,consolidat$ ,bank      
itself4 ,b5ea? u 7 ! ,consolidat$       
,safety ,deposit vaults4  ,:at did cause
 !m1 !n8 ,i ask$1 my/ifi$4  ,app>5tly   
escap+ curr5ts ( electricity are caus+  
electrolysis ( ! ,bank ,build+1 he      
repli$1 8 face wr9kl$ 9 ?\ght4          
,electrolysis8 ,i repeat$ me*anically4  
,yes4 ,i suppose y "k h[ /ray or vagrant

 curr5ts affect /eel & concrete8  ,i    
%ook my head 9 ! negative4  ,well1 he   
expla9$ z we /ood !re1 ,i believe t 9 "o
 gov]nm5t te/ at lea/ x 0 %[n t :5 an   
electric curr5t ( high voltage passes f 
/eel to concrete1 ! latt] is crack$ &   
brok54 ,(t5 a me*anical pressure z great
 z f\r or five ?\s& p\nds a squ>e in* is
 ex]t$ & !re is rapid de/ruction due to 
! heat+ effect ( ! curr5t4  ,i express$ 
my surprise at :at he _h discov]$4 ,!   
dang] is easily ov]e/imat$1 he ha/5$ to 
add4 ,b 9 ?is case ,i ?9k x is real1    
?\gh probably x is a special & extreme  
condition4 ,/ill x is special & extreme 
conditions :i* we are 9 ! habit (       
enc\nt]+ 9 our cases1 ,walt]4 ,t is :at 
we mu/ be look+ out =4 ,9 ?is in/ance ! 
de/ruction due to electrolysis is mo/   
likely caus$ by ! oxidation ( ! iron    
anode4 ,! oxides :i* are =m$ are twice z
 great 9 volume z ! iron 0 orig9ally & !
 result+ pressure is :at causes !       
concrete to break4 ,i ?9k we %all f9d t 
?is condition w be> /rict wat*+4  ,= a  

mom5t ,k5n$y /opp$ at ! little (fice ( !
 sup]9t5d5t ( ! build+1 9 ! re>4  ,i 0 j
 wond]+ :e!r y _h notic$ ^? cracks 9 !  
walls d[n ! corridor1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y aft]
 a brief introduction4  ,! sup]9t5d5t   
look$ at him suspici\sly4 ,evid5tly he  
fe>$ we _h "s ult]ior motive1 p]haps    
repres5t$ "s rival build+ & might try to
 sc>e away 8 t5ants4  ,oh1 t's no?+1 he 
said confid5tly4 ,j ! build+ settl+ a   
bit--easily fix$4  ,! safety vault      
company hav5't compla9$8 p]si/$ ,k5n$y1 
det]m9$ to get some?+ out ( ! ag5t4  ,no
 inde$1 he return$ confid5tly4 ,i guess 
!y've got tr\bles ( _! own--real ones4  
,h['s t8 ask$ ,craig1 fall+ 9 ) ! man's 
evid5t desire to *ange ! subject4  ,:y1 
,i believe _! al>m sy/em's out ( ord]1  
he repli$4 ,"s ( ! f9e wires 9 x burnt  
out1 ,i ?9k4 ,defective wir+1 ,i guess4 
,oh1 !y've _h x pat*$ up1 *ang$ ab\t a  
little1--x's all "r n[1 !y say4 ,b !y've
 _h a deuce ( a "t ) ! al>m r++ at all  
sorts ( h\rs1 & n a trace ( tr\ble4  ,i 
look$ quickly at ,craig4 ,?\gh !        

sup]9t5d5t ?\ght he _h be5 v clev] 9    
*ang+ ! topic ( conv]sation1 he _h      
unwitt+ly furni%$ u ) ano!r clew4 ,i    
c\ld n ask ,craig be=e him & ,i =got to 
d s lat]1 b1 to me at lea/1 x seem$ z if
 ?is might be due to induction f ! /ray 
curr5ts4  ,no "o "h seems to h suspect$ 
! ,creighton motor1 anyh[1 comm5t$      
,craig to me1 z we ?ank$ ! sup]9t5d5t & 
walk$ across to ! elevators4  ,we rode  
up to ,tre%am's (fice1 :i* 0 on ! ?ird  
floor1 on ! side ( ! build+ t[>d        
,creighton's laboratory4 ,9 fact "o ( ! 
w9d[s op5$ almo/ on ! ro( ( ! brick     
build+ next door4  ,we f\nd ,tre%am 9 8 
(fice & he receiv$ u affably1 ,i ?\ght4 
,miss ,laidlaw told me %e 0 go+ to      
consult y1 he rem>k$ z we introduc$     
ourselves4 ,i'm glad %e did s4  ,tre%am 
0 a l>ge1 well-built fell[1 app>5tly    
a?letically incl9$1 clean %av5 ) d>k    
hair t 0 gett+ v ?94 ,he seem$ q at ease
 z he talk$ ) u1 yet ,i c\ld tell t he 0
 weigh+ u all ! "t1 z lawy]s w d4  ,:at 
d y ?9k ( ,creighton's motor8 op5$      

,k5n$y4 ,y've se5 x1 ,i suppose8  ,oh1  
yes1 he repli$ quickly & j]kily4 ,s9ce  
,miss ,laidlaw became int]e/$ he's be5 9
 "h to h me look ov] 8 application = a  
pat5t4 ,y "k1 ,i us$ to be a pat5t lawy]
 = a numb] ( ye>s until ,i decid$ to    
bran* out into g5]al practice4 ,legally 
,creighton seems to be s\nd en\gh4 ,(   
c\rse1 y "k1 ! pat5t (fice won't grant a
 pat5t on a ma*9e su* z he claims )\t a 
rigid demon/ration4 ,he ne$s money1 he  
says1 = t4 ,if 8 idea is s\nd1 ,i don't 
see any reason :y he %\ldn't get a basic
 pat5t4  ,tre%am paus$4 ,i 0 consci\s t 
he 0 furtively wat*+ ! face ( ,k5n$y z  
?\gh he hop$ to le>n z mu* f him z      
,craig did on 8 "p4  ,x's ! me*anical   
end ( x t ,i don't und]/&1 cont9u$      
,tre%am1 aft] a pause4 ,creighton claims
 to h discov]$ a new =ce :i* he calls   
vibrodyne4 ,i ?9k x is j z well t ,miss 
,laidlaw has decid$ to consult a sci5ti/
 ab\t x be=e %e puts any m money into ! 
?+4 ,i c't say ,i approve ( h] int]e/ 9 
x--?\gh1 ( c\rse1 ,i "k next to no?+    

ab\t x1 except f ! legal /&po9t4  ,:o is
 t ,mrs4 ,b>ry ( :om ,miss ,laidlaw     
spoke8 ask$ ,k5n$y a mom5t lat]4  ,i    
believe %e is a fri5d ( ,creighton's4   
,someh[ %e got acqua9t$ ) ,miss ,laidlaw
 & introduc$ h] to him4  ,y "k h]8 qu]i$
 ,craig casually4  ,oh1 yes1 came !     
frank reply4 ,%e has be5 9 to see me1   
too2 fir/ to int]e/ me 9 ! motor1 & !n  
to consult me ab\t v>i\s legal po9ts 9  
connection ) x4  ,i felt sure t ,tre%am 
0 m ?an j a bit jeal\s ( 8 pretty cli5t4
 ,c]ta9ly 8 tone 0 int5d$ to convey !   
impression t he wi%$ %e w\ld leave h]   
affairs 9 8 h&s entirely4  ,y don't "k  
any?+ m ab\t h]--:]e %e came f--h]      
connections8 add$ ,craig4  ,h>dly m ?an 
y d1 ass]t$ ,tre%am4 ,i've only se5 !   
woman a few times4 ,9 fact ,i %\ld be   
glad to "k m ab\t h]--& ab\t ,creighton1
 too4 ,i hope t if y f9d out any?+ y'll 
let me "k s t ,i c protect ,miss        
,laidlaw's int]e/s4  ,i %all d s1       
promis$ ,k5n$y1 ris+4  ,i'll d ! same1  
agre$ ,tre%am1 ext5d+ 8 h&4 ,i see no   

reason :y we %\ldn't "w toge!r =--my    
cli5t4  ,!re 0 no mi/ak+ ! fact t       
,tre%am w\ld h lik$ to be able to say   
some?+ m intimate ?an cli5t4 ,p]haps he 
might h be5 ne>] to x if h] int]e/ 9 him
 _h n be5 div]t$ by ?is wond]ful motor4 
,at any rate ,i fanci$ he _h little love
 = ,creighton4 ,yet1 :5 ,i reflect$     
aft]w>d1 x seem$ l a wide gulf t mu/    
sep>ate a comp>atively impecuni\s lawy] 
f a weal?y girl l ,adele ,laidlaw4      
,k5n$y 0 n ?r\gh ) 8 ef=t to le>n some?+
 by a ?or\gh inve/igation ( !           
neighborhood yet4 ,= "s "t aft] we left 
,tre%am's (fice1 he /ood 9 ! doorway ( !
 ,bank ,build+1 look+ ab\t z ?\gh he    
hat$ to leave )\t e/abli%+ "s vantage   
po9t f :i* to wat* :at 0 go+ on 9       
,creighton's laboratory4  ,( c\rse ,i   
c't v well get into ! safety vault "u ! 
bank1 he mus$4 ,i wi% ,i c\ld4  ,he     
walk$ pa/ ,creighton's )\t see+ any?+   
happ54 ,! next build+ 0 a simil>        
two-/ory brick affair4 ,a sign on x     
read1 ,/udios & ,(fices ,= ,r5t4  ,an   

idea seem$ to be sugge/$ to him by !    
sign4 ,he :eel$ & ent]$ ! place4        
,inquiry br\ght out a c>etak] :o %[$ u  
sev]al rooms unoccupi$1 among !m "o     
vacant on ! fir/ floor4  ,k5n$y look$ x 
ov] c>efully1 z ?\gh consid]+ :e!r x 0 j
 ! place he want$1 b end$1 z ,i knew he 
int5d$1 9 hir+ x4  ,i c't move my /uff 9
 = a c\ple ( days1 he told ! c>etak]4   
,mean:ile1 ,i may h ! key1 ,i suppose8  
,he _h paid a good deposit & ! key 0    
readily =?com+4  ,! hir+ ( ! gr\nd floor
 room accompli%$ )\t excit+ suspicion1  
,k5n$y & ,i made a ha/y trip up to 8 own
 laboratory1 :]e he took a small box f a
 cab9et & hurri$ back to ! taxicab :i*  
_h br\ght u upt[n4  ,back aga9 9 ! b>e  
room :i* he _h acquir$1 ,craig set to "w
 imm$iately in/all+ a peculi> in/rum5t  
:i* he took f ! package4  ,x seem$ to   
consi/ ( two rods mu* l electric light  
c>bons1 fix$ horizontally 9 a wood5     
support ) a sp9dle-%ap$ bit ( c>bon     
betwe5 ! two ends ( ! rods4 ,wires 7    
connect$ ) b9d+ screws at ! free ends ( 

! c>bon rods4  ,fir/ ,craig made a      
connection ) an electric light socket f 
:i* he remov$ ! bulb1 cutt+ 9 a rheo/at4
 ,!n he atta*$ ! free wires f ! c>bons  
to a sort ( telephone headge> & swit*$  
on ! curr5t4  ,:at is x8 ,i ask$        
curi\sly4  ,a geophone1 he repli$       
simply4  ,& :at is a geophone8 ,i       
inquir$4  ,lit]ally an e>?-phone1 he    
expla9$4 ,x is really ! simple/ =m (    
telephone1 appli$ to ! e>?4 ,y saw :at x
 04 ,any high s*ool /ud5t ( physics c   
make "o1 ev5 ) two or ?ree dry batt]ies 
9 circuit4  ,b :at does x d8 ,i ask$4   
,x is really design$ to detect e>?      
vibrations4 ,all t is necess>y is to set
 ! c>bon /ick arrangem5t1 :i* is !      
transmitt] ( ?is telephone1 on ! floor1 
place myself at ! o!r end & li/54 ,a    
tra9$ e> c readily detect rumbl+s4      
,really x is do+ 9 a diff]5t & (t5 bett]
 way :at ! seismograph does4 ,?is       
in/rum5t is s s5sitive t x w record !   
slamm+ ( a cell> door across ! /reet4   
,no "o c g up ^? /airs next door )\t    

lett+ me "k x1 no matt] h[ cauti\s he is
 ab\t x4  ,craig /ood !re "s m9utes     
hold+ ! ?+ ov] 8 e>s & li/5+ int5tly4   
,! vibrodyne ma*9e isn't runn+1 he      
rem>k$ f9ally aft] repeat$ adju/m5ts ( !
 geophone4 ,b someone is 9 t little room
 "u ,creighton's work%op4 ,i suspect$ t 
some?+ 0 d[n !re aft] t wat* cry/al te/ 
( m9e4 ,n[ ,i "k x4 ,i wond] :at ! man  
is do+8  ,!re 0 no excuse yet1 h[ev]1 = 
break+ into ! room on ! o!r side ( !    
wall & "u ,creighton's4 ,k5n$y w5t out &
 wat*$4 ,?\gh we wait$ "s "t nobody came
 out4 ,he w5t back to our own room 9 !  
re> ( ! fir/ floor4 ,?\gh we bo? li/5$  
"s "t1 nei!r ( u c\ld n[ he> a s\nd     
?r\gh ! geophone except ^? made by pass+
 trolleys & /reet vehicles4  ,inquiry   
ab\t ! neighborhood did n develop :o 0 !
 t5ant or :at 0 8 bus9ess4 ,9 fact !    
results 7 j ! rev]se4 ,no "o seem$ to "k
 ev5 ! bus9ess conduct$ !re4 ,! room    
back ( ! lock$ door :i* ,miss ,laidlaw  
_h pass$ 0 %r\d$ 9 my/]y4  ,no?+ at all 
( any value 0 be+ record$ by ! geophone 

:5 ,k5n$y glanc$ quickly at 8 wat*4 ,if 
we are to see ,miss ,laidlaw & meet t   
,mrs4 ,b>ry1 we _h bett] be on our way1 
he rem>k$ hurri$ly4  ,miss ,laidlaw 0   
liv+ 9 a h&some ap>tm5t on ,c5tral ,p>k1
 ,we/4 ,we ent]$ & gave our c>ds to !   
man at ! door ( h] suite1 :o b[$ u into 
a little reception room4 ,we ent]$ &    
wait$4  ,sudd5ly we 7 aw>e t someone 9 !
 next room1 a libr>y1 0 talk+4 ,:e!r we 
w\ld or n we c\ld n help ov]he>+ :at 0  
said4 ,app>5tly two wom5 7 !re1 & !y 7 n
 tak+ c>e h[ l\d !y spoke4  ,!n y object
 to my ev5 kn[+ ,mr4 ,creighton8 ask$ "o
 ( ! voices1 paus+ evid5tly = a reply   
:i* ! o!r did n *oose to make4 ,i       
suppose if x 0 ,mr4 ,tre%am y'd object1 
too4  ,!re 0 some?+ catty & taunt+ ab\t 
! voice4 ,x 0 a h>d voice1 ! voice ( a  
woman :o _h se5 mu*1 & felt fully       
capable ( tak+ c>e ( h]self 9 m4  ,y c't
 make up y\r m9d :i* "o y c>e = mo/1 !n8
 ,is t x8 pursu$ ! same voice4 ,well1   
,i'll be a sport4 ,i'll leave y         
,creighton--if y c keep him4  ,i want   

nei!r1 broke 9 a voice :i* ,i recogniz$ 
at once z ,adele ,laidlaw's4  ,%e spoke 
) a suppress$ emotion :i* pla9ly        
indicat$ t %e did want "o ( !m4  ,j !n !
 butl] ent]$ ) our c>ds4 ,we he>d no m4 
,a mom5t lat] we 7 u%]$ into ! libr>y4  
,mrs4 ,b>ry 0 a trim1 well-groom$ woman 
^: age 0 deceptive4 ,i felt t no matt]  
:at "o might ?9k ( ,miss ,laidlaw1 "h 0 
a woman ^: v looks seem$ to w>n "o to be
 on 8 gu>d4 ,%e 0 a woman ( ! _w1       
confid5t 9 h] own ability to take c>e ( 
h]self4  ,adele 0 flu%$ & excit$1 z we  
ent]$1 ?\gh %e 0 mak+ a desp]ate ef=t to
 act z ?\gh no?+ _h happ5$4  ,my fri5d1 
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 & ,mr4 ,jameson1 %e   
introduc$ u simply1 mak+ no pret5se to  
conceal our id5tity4  ,mrs4 ,b>ry 01 9  
addition to h] o!r accompli%m5ts1 a good
 actress4 ,i've he>d a great deal ab\t  
y1 ,pr(essor1 %e said1 ext5d+ h] h&1 b n
 tak+ h] eyes (f ,craig's face4  ,k5n$y 
met h] gaze directly4 ,:at did %e mean8 
,_h %e accept$ ,miss ,laidlaw's         
invitation to call 9 ord] to look u ov]1

 kn[+ t we _h come to d ! same8  ,mr4   
,creighton tells me t y h be5 to see 8  
new motor1 %e v5tur$1 ev5 be=e any ( u  
c\ld op5 ! subject4  ,%e seem$ to enjoy 
mak+ ! rem>k = ! specific purpose ( r\s+
 ,miss ,laidlaw4 ,x succe$$ amply1 also4
 ,! implication t ,creighton took h]    
into 8 confid5ce 0 suffici5t to cause   
,adele ,laidlaw to %oot an angry glance 
at h]4  ,mrs4 ,b>ry _h no objection to  
/ick+ a knife 9 & turn+ x ar\nd4 ,(     
c\rse ,i don't "k z mu* ab\t su* ?+s z  
,miss ,laidlaw1 %e purr$1 b ,mr4 ,tre%am
 tells me t !re may be "s tr\ble ) !    
pat5t (fice ab\t all[+ ! pat5t4 ,f all  
,i h he>d !re's a =tune 9 t motor =     
someone4 ,wond]ful1 isn't x8  ,ev5 !    
m5tion ( ,tre%am's "n 9 ! /udi$         
famili>ity ( h] tone seem$ to increase !
 sc>cely lat5t ho/ility betwe5 ! two    
wom54 ,k5n$y1 s f>1 _h said no?+1 cont5t
 m]ely to obs]ve4  ,x appe>s to be      
wond]ful1 0 all he said1 gu>d$ly4  ,mrs4
 ,b>ry ey$ him %>ply & ,miss ,laidlaw   
appe>$ to be ill at ease4 ,evid5tly %e  

want$ to believe 9 ,creighton & 8 motor1
 yet h] natural caution =bade h]4 ,!    
entrance ( ,k5n$y into ! case seem$ to h
 prov$ a di/urb+ factor betwe5 ! two    
wom51 to h br\ght matt]s to a head4  ,we
 *att$ = a few m9utes1 ,k5n$y deftly    
refus+ to commit himself on any?+1 ,mrs4
 ,b>ry seek+ to lead him into express+  
"s op9ion1 & endeavor+ to conceal h]    
exasp]ation z he avoid$ do+ s4  ,at la/ 
,k5n$y glanc$ at 8 wat*1 :i* rem9d$ him 
( a my?ical appo9tm5t1 suffici5t to     
t]m9ate ! visit4  ,i'm v glad to h met  
y1 he b[$ to ,mrs4 ,b>ry1 z %e1 too1    
rose to g1 :ile he pres]v$ ! fiction (  
m]ely hav+ dropp$ 9 to see ,miss        
,laidlaw4 ,he turn$ to h]4 ,i %\ld be   
delight$ to h bo? y & ,mr4 ,tre%am drop 
9 at my laboratory "s "t1 ,miss         
,laidlaw4  ,miss ,laidlaw caught 8 eye &
 read 9 x t ?is 0 8 way1 "u !           
circum/ances1 ( ask+ h] to keep 9 t\* ) 
him4  ,i %all d s1 %e promis$4  ,we p>t$
 f ,mrs4 ,b>ry at ! door ( h] taxicab4  
,a v baffl+ woman1 ,i rem>k$ a mom5t    

lat]4 ,d y suppose %e is z intimate )   
,creighton z %e implies8  ,k5n$y %ook 8 
head4 ,x isn't t t int]e/s me mo/1 j n[1
 he repli$4 ,:at ,i c't figure out is   
,adele ,laidlaw's attitude t[>d bo?     
,creighton & ,tre%am4 ,%e seems to res5t
 ,mrs4 ,b>ry's intimacy ) ei!r4  ,yes1  
,i agre$4 ,sometimes ,i h ?\ght %e      
really c>$ = bo?--at lea/1 t %e 0 unable
 to make up h] m9d :i* %e c>$ = mo/4    
,(fh&1 ,i %\ld h ?\ght t %e 0 ! sort :o 
w\ldn't ?9k a man wor? c>+ mu* =4       
,k5n$y %ook 8 head4 ,giv5 a woman1      
,walt]1 he said ?\ghtfully1 ^: own &    
ance/ral tra9+ has be5 a c\rse (        
suppression1 :]e %e has be5 taught &    
drill$ t exhibitions ( emotion & passion
 are disgraceful1 z ,i suspect ,miss    
,laidlaw's p>5ts h believ$1 & y h a     
woman ^: primitive in/9cts h be5 /or$ & 
/r5g!n$4 ,! in/9cts are !re1 nev]!less1 
f> back 9 ! subconsci\s m9d4 ,i don't   
?9k ,adele ,laidlaw kn[s x h]self1 b !re
 is some?+ ab\t bo? ^? m5 :i* fasc9ates 
h] & %e c't make up h] m9d :i* fasc9ates

 h] mo/4 ,p]haps !y h ! same qualities4 
,b ,mrs4 ,b>ry1 ,i int]rupt$4 ,surely %e
 mu/ "k4  ,i ?9k %e does1 he return$4 ,i
 ?9k %e kn[s m ?an we suspect4  ,i look$
 at him quickly1 n q mak+ out !         
significance ( ! rem>k1 b he said no m4 
,= ! pres5t1 at lea/1 he left ,adele    
,laidlaw q z mu* an enigma z ev]4  ,i   
wi% t y w\ld make inquiries ab\t reg>d+ 
,mrs4 ,b>ry1 he said f9ally z we rea*$ !
 subway4 ,i'm go+ d[n aga9 to ! little  
room we hir$ & wat*4 ,y'll f9d me at !  
laboratory lat] tonight4     ,,*apt]    
,,xxvii  ,,! ,,p]petual ,,motion ,,ma*9e
   ,i tri$ my be/1 b !re 0 v little t ,i
 c\ld f9d out ab\t ,mrs4 ,b>ry4 ,no "o  
seem$ to "k :]e %e came f1 & ev5 ,mr4   
,b>ry seem$ %r\d$ 9 obscurity4 ,i 0     
conv9c$1 h[ev]1 t %e 0 an adv5turess4   
,"o ?+1 h[ev]1 ,i did turn up4 ,%e _h   
call$ on ,tre%am at 8 (fice a numb] (   
times1 usually late 9 ! aft]noon1 & he  
_h tak5 h] to d9n] & to ! !at]4         
,app>5tly he knew h] a great deal bett] 
?an he _h be5 will+ to admit to u4 ,i 0 

n surpris$1 =1 l a good _m m5 ( 8 class1
 ,tre%am 0 bett] kn[n 9 ! :ite light    
di/rict ?an "o might suspect4 ,mrs4     
,b>ry _h all ! m>ks ( be+ good company  
on su* an excursion4  ,on ! way upt[n1  
,i /opp$ (f 9 ! neighborhood ( ,longacre
 ,squ>e 9 ! hope ( pick+ up "s m gossip 
at "o or ano!r ( ! clubs4 ,tre%am 0 a   
memb] ( sev]al1 ?\gh z ne> z ,i c\ld f9d
 out1 us$ !m m = bus9ess ?an social     
reasons4 ,on ,broadway x 0 diff]5t1     
h[ev]4 ,!re he 0 kn[n z a lib]al sp5d] &
 lov] ( night life4 ,l _m o!rs he n[ &  
!n accumulat$ q l>ge bills4 ,i wond]$   
:e!r ,mrs4 ,b>ry _h n f\nd out & tak5   
advantage ( 8 weakness4  ,x 01 z ,i h   
said1 comp>atively little t ,i _h be5   
able to discov]1 yet :5 ,i met ,k5n$y   
aga91 lat] 9 ! ev5+1 at 8 laboratory1 he
 li/5$ eag]ly to :at ,i _h to report4   
,did any?+ happ5 d[nt[n8 ,i ask$ :5 ,i  
_h f9i%$4  ,no?+ mu*1 he return$4 ,(    
c\rse1 li/5+ ov] ! geophone1 ,i c\ldn't 
wat* ! ,bank ,build+1 too4 ,!re's some?+
 v que] ab\t ,creighton4 ,i c\ld he> him

 at "w 9 ! room up/airs until q late1   
mak+ a lot ( noise4 ,if ,i don't f9d out
 any?+ m def9ite soon1 ,i %all h to     
adopt "s o!r measures4  ,y didn't d     
any?+ m ab\t t electrolysis clew8 ,i    
qu]i$4  ,no?+1 he repli$ briefly1 except
 t ,i inquir$ ( ! electric light company
 & f\nd out t ,creighton1 or someone 9 8
 build+1 0 us+ a good deal ( p[]4  ,t   
looks bad1 ,i v5tur$1 rememb]+ ! claims 
made = ! eng9e & ! comp>atively weak    
batt]ies t 7 said to run x4  ,k5n$y     
nodd$ acquiesc5ce1 b said no?+ m4 ,we   
walk$ ov] 9 sil5ce to our ap>tm5t on !  
,heights & f> into ! night ,craig sat   
!re1 %ad+ 8 eyes ) 8 h&1 app>5tly /udy+ 
out ! peculi> features ( ! case & plann+
 "s new angle ( approa* at x tomorr[4   
,we 7 surpris$ ! next day to receive an 
e>ly visit f ,miss ,laidlaw at !        
laboratory4 ,%e drove up be=e ! ,*emi/ry
 ,build+1 v mu* excit$1 z ?\gh h] news  
w\ld n be> repeat+ ev5 ov] ! telephone4 
,:at d y ?9k8 %e exclaim$1 bur/+ 9 on u4
 ,mr4 ,creighton has disappe>$6         

,disappe>$8 repeat$ ,k5n$y4 ,h[ did y   
f9d x out8  ,mr4 ,tre%am j telephon$ me 
f 8 (fice1 %e hurri$ on4 ,he 0 go+ into 
! ,bank ,build+ :5 he saw a wagon drive 
(f f ! place next door4 ,he ?\ght x 0   
/range & in/ead ( go+ on up to 8 own    
(fice he walk$ into ,creighton's4 ,:5 he
 tri$ to get 91 ! place 0 lock$4 ,!re's 
a sign on x1 too1 ',= ,r5t1' he says4   
,t's /range1 consid]$ ,k5n$y4 ,i suppose
 he didn't notice :at k9d ( wagon x 08  
,yes1 he said x look$ l a junk          
wagon--full ( /uff4  ,i look$ f ,miss   
,laidlaw to ,k5n$y4 ,pla9ly our entrance
 into ! case _h be5 ! signal = ! flitt+ 
( ,creighton4  ,quickly he rea*$ = !    
telephone4 ,y "k ,mrs4 ,b>ry's numb]8 he
 ask$4  ,yes1 x's ! ,pr9ce ,edw>d       
,hotel4  ,he call$ up1 b ! conv]sation 0
 ov] 9 a mom5t4 ,%e didn't return to !  
hotel la/ night1 he ann\nc$ z he hung up
 ! receiv]4  ,%e's 9 ?is ?+1 too1       
exclaim$ ,adele ,laidlaw4 ,c y g d[n )  
me n[ & meet ,mr4 ,tre%am8 ,i promis$ ,i
 w\ld4  ,?\gh %e repress$ h] feel+s1 z  

usual1 ,i c\ld see t ,adele ,laidlaw 0  
furi\s4 ,0 x because ,creighton _h gone 
(f ) h] money1 or 0 x pique because     
,mrs4 ,b>ry _h1 p]haps1 won him8 ,at any
 rate1 someone 0 go+ to feel ! fury ( h]
 scorn4  ,we motor$ d[n quickly 9 ,miss 
,laidlaw's c> & met ,tre%am1 :o 0 /&+ 9 
front ( ! ,bank ,build+ wait+ = u4  ,x j
 happ5$ t ,i came d[n e>ly ?is morn+1 he
 expla9$1 or ,i %\ldn't h notic$ any?+  
out ( ! way4 ,! junk wagon 0 j driv+    
away z ,i came up4 ,x seem$ to be 9 su* 
a hurry t x attract$ my att5tion4  ,x 0 
! fir/ "t we _h se5 ,tre%am & ,miss     
,laidlaw toge!r & ,i 0 int]e/$ to see h[
 !y w\ld act4 ,!re 0 no mi/ak+ 8        
attitude t[>d h] & ,adele 0 mu* m       
cordial to him ?an ,i _h expect$4  ,:ile
 ,i 0 wait+ ,i got a key f ! ag5t1 he   
expla9$4 ,b ,i didn't want to g 9 until 
y came4  ,tre%am op5$ ! door & l$ ! way 
up/airs1 ,miss ,laidlaw foll[+ closely4 
,z we ent]$ ,creighton's %op1 ev]y?+    
seem$ to be 9 ! greate/ disord]4 ,pr9ts 
& books 7 scatt]$ ab\t1 ! tools 7 ly+   

ab\t :]ev] !y happ5$ to h be5 left1 all 
! models 7 sma%$ or miss+ & a heap (    
pap]s 9 ! fireplace %[$ :]e _m plans1   
lett]s & o!r docum5ts _h be5 burn$4  ,we
 hurri$ into ! big room4 ,sure en\gh1 ! 
demon motor itself 0 gone6 ,creighton _h
 unbolt$ x f ! floor & "s holes 9 !     
bo>ds _h be5 plugg$ up4 ,! room bel[ 0  
/ill lock$ & ! w9d[s 7 cov]$ ) opaque   
pap] on ! inside4  ,:at d y suppose he  
has done ) ! motor8 ask$ ,adele4  ,!    
only clew is a junk deal] :om we don't  
"k1 ,i repli$1 z ,k5n$y said no?+4  ,we 
look$ ab\t ! place ?or\ghly1 b c\ld f9d 
no?+ else4 ,creighton seem$ to h made a 
clean getaway 9 ! e>ly h\rs4  ,i wi% ,i 
c\ld /ay & help y1 rem>k$ ,tre%am at    
l5g?4 ,b ,i mu/ be 9 c\rt at t54 ,if    
!re's any?+ ,i c d1 ?\gh1 call on me4   
,i'm go+ to f9d t eng9e if ,i h to visit
 e junk deal] 9 ,new ,york1 decl>$ ,miss
 ,laidlaw soon aft] ,tre%am left4  ,t's 
ab\t all we c d1 yet1 ,i guess1 rem>k$  
,k5n$y1 evid5tly n mu* worri$ ab\t !    
disappe>ance ( ! inv5tor4  ,toge!r we   

?ree clos$ up ! work%op & />t$ out ) a  
li/ f a trade publication giv+ all ^? :o
 dealt 9 scrap iron & old metal4 ,9 fact
 we sp5t mo/ ( ! day go+ f "o to ano!r (
 ! junk %ops4 ,i nev] knew t !re 7 s _m 
deal]s 9 wa/e4 ,!y seem$ to be all ov] !
 city & 9 ne>ly e section4 ,x 0 a       
trem5d\s job1 b we mapp$ x out s t we   
work$ our way f "o section to ano!r4    
,we _h got z f> z ! ,h>lem ,riv] :5 we  
ent]$ "o place & look$ ab\t :ile we     
wait$ = someone 9 *>ge to appe>4  ,i    
he>d a l[ exclamation f ,k5n$y1 & turn$ 
to look 9 ! direction he indicat$4 ,!re1
 9 a wagon f :i* ! horse _h be5 unhit*$1
 0 ! heavy base ( ! eng9e into :i* s _m 
doll>s _h be5 turn$--sold z s mu* scrap6
  ,k5n$y exam9$ x quickly1 :ile ,i      
que/ion$ a man :o appe>$ f beh9d a %$ 9 
! re>4 ,x 0 useless4 ,he c\ld give no   
clew t we already c\ld n guess4 ,he _h j
 b\ght x f a man :o seem$ anxi\s to get 
rid ( x4 ,8 description ( ! man talli$ )
 ,creighton4 ,b t 0 all4 ,x gave u no   
*ance to trace him4  ,look1 exclaim$    

,k5n$y eag]ly1 b5d+ clos] ov] ! motor4  
,?is is "o ( ! neate/ p]petual motion   
frauds ,i ev] he>d (4  ,he _h turn$ !   
heavy base ( ! motor upw>d4 ,"o glance  
left me ) little wond] :y ,creighton _h 
s c>efully bolt$ ! ma*9e to ! floor4 ,9 
! base 7 two rectangul> ap]tures to all[
 a belt to run ov] a conceal$ pulley on 
! ma9 %aft ( ! ma*9e 9 ! case4          
,evid5tly1 :5 ! circuit f ! ,daniell    
cells 0 clos$1 ! pulley1 someh[1 0 ?r[n 
into ge>4 ,x 0 loose & ! ma*9e began to 
revolve sl[ly at fir/1 !n fa/] & ) great
 %[ ( p[]4 ,! p\nd+1 z ,k5n$y _h        
surmis$1 0 due to ! fly:eel n well      
balanc$4  ,well1 ,i rem>k$1 n[ t we h   
f\nd x1 ,i don't see t x does u mu*     
good4  ,only t we und]/& x1 return$     
,craig4 ,i left t geophone d[n !re 9 !  
room next door :i* ,i hir$4 ,i ?9k1 if  
,miss ,laidlaw w take u d[n !re1 ,i'd l 
to get x4  ,he spoke ) a sort ( easy    
confid5ce :i* ,i knew 0 h>d to be assum$
 9 ! face ( :at look$ l defeat4 ,_h     
,craig delib]ately let ,creighton h a   

*ance to get away1 9 ord] t he might    
convict himself8  ,9 sil5ce1 ) ,miss    
,laidlaw at ! :eel1 we w5t d[nt[n aga9  
to ! room :i* ,craig _h hir$ next to    
,creighton's work%op4 ,z we approa*$ x1 
he lean$ ov] to ,miss ,laidlaw4  ,/op   
ar\nd ! corn]1 he ask$4 ,let's g 9      
quietly4  ,we ent]$ our b>e little room 
& ,k5n$y set to "w z ?\gh to deta* !    
geophone1 :ile ,i expla9$ x to our      
cli5t4  ,:at's ! matt]8 %e int]rupt$ 9 !
 middle ( my explanation1 indicat+      
,k5n$y4  ,he _h paus$ & _h plac$ !      
receiv]s to 8 e>s4 ,by 8 expression ,i  
knew t ! in/rum5t 0 regi/]+ some?+4     
,someone is 9 ! l[] room ( ! %op next   
door1 he answ]$1 fac+ u quickly4 ,if we 
hurry1 we'll h him corn]$4  ,miss       
,laidlaw & ,i w5t out & ar\nd 9 front1  
:ile ,craig da%$ ?r\gh a back door to   
cut (f retreat t way4  ,:at's t8 ,hurry6
 exclaim$ ,miss ,laidlaw4  ,pla9ly !re 0
 a muffl$ scream ( a woman z we ent]$ ! 
/reet door4 ,i hurri$ =w>d4 ,x 0 ! "w ( 
only a few seconds to batt] d[n ! lock$ 

door 9 ! room "u ,creighton's old       
work%op1 & z ! door gave way1 ,i he>d ! 
s\nd ( %att]$ glass f ! re> :i* told t  
,k5n$y _h he>d ! scream1 too1 & _h ga9$ 
an entrance4  ,inside ,i c\ld make out 9
 ! half-light a man & a woman4 ,! woman 
0 runn+ t[>d me1 z if = help4  ,mrs4    
,b>ry6 gasp$ ,adele ,laidlaw4  ,he got  
me "h--to kill me6 %e cri$ hy/]ically4  
,i am ! only "o :o kn[s ! tru?--x 0 !   
la/ day--tonight he w\ld h _h ! money--&
 ,i w\ld h be5 out ( ! way4 ,b ,i'll    
expose him--,i'll ru9 him4 ,see--he came
 9 f ! ro(--  ,a bl9d+ fla% ( light     
greet$ u1 foll[$ by a scream f ,adele   
,laidlaw1 z %e ran pa/ u & dropp$ on h] 
knees beside a body t _h fall5 ) a ?ud 9
 ! flame be=e a yawn+ hole 9 ! side     
wall4  ,mrs4 ,b>ry ran pa/ me1 back     
aga91 at almo/ ! same mom5t4 ,x 0 a     
/range sight--^! two wom5 gl>+ at ea*   
o!r ov] ! pro/rate figure ( ! man4      
,"h's ! real demon eng9e1 pant$ ,craig1 
com+ up f ! back & po9t+ to an electric 
motor z well z o!r app>atus consi/+ (   

sev]al s]ies ( coils4 ,! p]petual motion
 ma*9e 0 j a fake4 ,x 0 m]ely a cov] to 
an attempt to break into ! bank vaults  
by electrolysis ( ! /eel & concrete4    
,creighton 0 a dummy1 a fiction--to take
 ! blame & disappe> :5 ! robb]y 0       
discov]$4  ,creighton1 ,i repeat$1 look+
 at ! man on ! floor1 a dummy8          
,oh--he's dead6 wail$ ,adele ,laidlaw4  
,he's dead6  ,electrocut$ by 8 own ma*9e
 r ?an face disgrace & disb>m5t1 cut 9  
,craig4 ,no wond] %e 0 9 d\bt :i* ( !   
two m5 fasc9at$ h] mo/4  ,i mov$ =w>d & 
b5t ov] ! contort$ =m ( ! lawy]1        
,tre%am1 :o 0 we>+ ! :isk]s & iron gray 
wig ( 8 alt]-ego1 ,creighton4           
,,*apt] ,,xxviii  ,,! ,,canc] ,,h\se    
,y've he>d ( su* ?+s z canc] h\ses1 ,i  
suppose1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y8  ,x 0 e>ly 9 
! morn+ & ,craig's cli5t1 ,myra         
,moreton1 z %e introduc$ h]self1 _h be5 
wait+ at ! laboratory door 9 a /ate (   
great agitation z we came up4 ,j because
 h] beautiful face 0 pale & hagg>d )    
worry1 %e 0 a pa!tic figure1 z %e /ood  

!re1 dress$ 9 deep m\rn+1 ! te>s /&+ 9  
h] eyes m]ely because we 7 a little lat]
 ?an usual4  ,well1 %e hurri$ on z %e   
dropp$ into a *air1 t is :at !y are     
call+ t big h\se ( ours at ,norwood--a  
canc] h\se1 if !re is su* a ?+4         
,cle>ly1 ,myra ,moreton 0 a victim (    
n]v\s pro/ration4 ,%e _h ask$ ! "q ) a  
hectic eag]ness1 yet _h n wait$ = an    
answ]4  ,oh1 %e exclaim$1 y d n1 y _c "k
 :at x means to h some?+ l ?is con/antly
 hang+ ov] y4 ,?9k ( x--five ( u h di$ 9
 less ?an five ye>s4 ,x haunts me4 ,:o  
next4 ,t is all ,i c ?9k ab\t4 ,:o next8
  ,h] fir/ agitation _h be5 succe$$ by a
 calmness ( despair1 almo/ ( fatalism1  
:i* 0 worse = h] ?an lett+ loose h]     
p5t-up emotions4  ,i _h he>d ( cases ( p
 9 :om !re 0 no record ( h]$it>y        
pr$isposition to canc]1 p app>5tly 9    
p]fect heal?1 :o _h mov$ into h\ses :]e 
canc] pati5ts _h liv$ & di$ & _h        
!mselves develop$ ! disease4 ,?\gh ,i   
_h1 ( c\rse1 nev] ev5 remotely exp]i5c$ 
su* a feel+ z %e describ$1 ,i c\ld well 

fancy :at x mu/ be to h]4  ,k5n$y wat*$ 
h] sympa!tically4 ,b :y d y come to me8 
he ask$ g5tly4 ,don't y ?9k a canc]     
speciali/ w\ld be m likely to help y8   
,a speciali/8 %e repeat$ ) a peculi>    
hopelessness4 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 five    
ye>s ago1 :5 my ,uncle ,frank 0 attack$ 
by canc]1 fa!r 0 s fooli% z to p]suade  
him to consult a speciali/ ^:           
adv]tisem5t he saw 9 ! pap]s1 a ,dr4    
,adam ,loeb on ,=ty-second ,/reet "h 9  
,new ,york4 ,speciali/6 ,oh1 ,i'm worri$
 sick e "t ,i h a sore or any?+ l ?is on
 my neck or any:]e else4  ,%e _h work$  
h]self f h] unnatural calm almo/ into a 
/ate ( hy/]ics z %e display$ a little   
sore on h] delicate :ite ?roat4  ,t8    
reassur$ ,k5n$y4 ,oh1 t may be no?+ b a 
little boil4 ,b ?is ,dr4 ,loeb--he mu/  
be a quack4 ,no doctor :o adv]tises--   
,p]haps1 %e int]rupt$4 ,t is :at ,dr4   
,goode out at ,norwood tells me4 ,b fa!r
 has fai? 9 him1 ev5 has him at ! h\se  
sometimes4 ,i _c be> ! sight ( him4     
,s9ce ,i fir/ saw him my uncle1 8 wife1 

ano!r aunt1 my c\s9 h di$1 & !n1 la/    
week1 my--my "m4  ,h] voice broke1 b ) a
 great ef=t %e manag$ to get h]self     
toge!r4 ,n[ ,i--,i fe> t my fa!r may g  
next4 ,p]haps x w /rike me--or my bro!r1
 ,lionel--:o c tell8 ,?9k ( x--! :ole   
family wip$ out by ?is t]rible ?+4 ,c x 
be natural1 ,i ask myself8 ,is !re n    
some?+ back ( x8  ,:o is ?is ,dr4 ,loeb8
 ask$ ,k5n$y1 m = ! purpose ( aid+ h] 9 
giv+ v5t to h] feel+s ?an any?+ else4   
,he is a ,new ,york doctor1 %e reit]at$4
 ,i believe he claims to h a sure cure =
 canc]1 by ! use ( radium & su* means4  
,my fa!r has absolute confid5ce 9       
him--visits him at 8 (fice &1 z ,i told 
y1 ev5 has him at ,norwood4 ,9 fact !y  
are q fri5dly4 ,s 0 ,lionel until       
lately4  ,:at happ5$ to %ake y\r bro!r's
 fai?8 ask$ ,craig4  ,no?+1 ,i imag9e1  
except t ,lionel began ?9k+ x ov] aft]  
someone told him ab\t canc] h\ses4 ,y   
mu/ admit y\rself t x is--at lea/       
/range4 ,i wi% y c\ld see ,lionel4 ,he  
kn[s m ab\t x ?an ,i d4 ,or ,dr4 ,goode4

 ,i ?9k he has made "s k9d ( te/4 ,he   
c\ld tell y mu* bett] ?an ,i c all !    
/range hi/ory4 ,b !y don't              
agree--,lionel & ,gail4 ,oh--x is m ?an 
,i c /&4 ,:at %all ,i--  ,%e _h fa9t$4  
,9 an in/ant ,i 0 at h] side1 help+     
,k5n$y br+ h] ar\nd4  ,!re1 !re1 soo!d  
,k5n$y sev]al m9utes lat] z h] deep eyes
 look$ at him appeal+ly4 ,p]haps1 aft]  
all1 !re may be some?+ ,i c d4 ,if ,i   
%\ld g out to ,norwood ) y z soon z y   
feel bett]1 w\ldn't t be all "r8  ,oh--w
 y8 %e cri$1 ov]joy$4 ,if y w\ld--h[    
c\ld ,i ev] ?ank y8 ,i feel bett]4      
,no--don't /op me4 ,i've be5 liv+ on    
n]ve4 ,i c d m4 ,please--let me         
telephone ,lionel t we are com+4  ,k5n$y
 humor$ h]1 al?\gh ,i knew he _h sev]al 
important inve/igations go+ on at ! "t4 
,x 0 sc>cely an h\r be=e we 7 on ! tra9 
& 9 ! e>ly =5oon we 7 met by h] bro!r at
 ! /ation 9 a light c>4  ,?r\gh !       
beautiful /reets ( ! qua9t old          
,connecticut t[n we rode until at la/ we
 /opp$ be=e a great /one h\se :i* _h be5

 ! ,moreton mansion = sev]al g5]ations4 
,x 0 a d\ble h\se1 a gloomy sort (      
place1 surr\nd$ by fir trees1 damp &    
sugge/ive ( decay4 ,i c\ld n help feel+ 
t if ev] !re 7 a h\se ab\t :i* ,i c\ld  
associate ! /ory :i* ,myra _h p\r$ =?1  
?is 0 x4 ,someh[1 to me at lea/1 x _h   
all ! my/]y ( be+ haunt$4  ,d>ius       
,moreton1 h] fa!r1 happ5$ to be at home 
to lun* :5 we arriv$4 ,he 0 a man pa/   
middle age4 ,l 8 fa!r & gr&fa!r1 he 0 a 
manufactur] ( optical goods & _h        
increas$ ! bus9ess v well4 ,b1 l _m     
successful bus9ess m51 he 0 "o ( ^? :o  
are v positive1 ) :om "o _c argue4      
,myra introduc$ ,k5n$y z int]e/$ 9 cause
 & treatm5t ( canc]1 & especially 9 !   
trac+ d[n ( a def9ite case ( a canc]    
h\se4  ,no1 he %ook 8 head grimly1 ,i'm 
afraid x is h]$ity4 ,my fri5d1 ,dr4     
,loeb1 is ! only "o :o und]/&s x4 ,i h !
 mo/ absolute confid5ce 9 him4  ,he said
 x 9 a way t seem$ to disc\rage all     
argum5t4 ,k5n$y did n antagonize him by 
disagree+1 b turn$ to ,lionel1 :o 0 a r 

int]e/+ type ( "y man4 ,son ( ,d>ius    
,moreton by 8 fir/ wife1 ,lionel _h gone
 to ! sci5tific s*ool z _h 8 fa!r &1    
graduat+1 _h tak5 up ! bus9ess ( !      
,moreton family z a matt] ( c\rse4      
,myra seem$ ov]come by ! j\rney to !    
city to see ,k5n$y &1 aft] a light      
lun*eon1 ,lionel und]took to talk to u &
 %[ u ?r\gh ! h\se4 ,x 0 depress+1 almo/
 gha/ly1 to ?9k ( ! sl[ succession (    
trag$ies :i* ^! walls _h witness$4  ,?is
 is a mo/ unusual case1 comm5t$ ,craig  
?\ghtfully z ,lionel w5t ov] briefly !  
family hi/ory4 ,if x c be au!nticat$ t  
?is is a canc] h\se1 ,i am sure ! m$ical
 pr(ession w be int]e/$1 = !y seem to be
 divid$ into two camps on ! "q4         
,au!nticat$8 ha/5$ ,lionel4 ,well1 take 
! record4 ,fir/ !re 0 my ,uncle ,frank1 
:o 0 fa!r's p>tn] 9 ! factory4 ,he di$ j
 ab\t five ye>s ago at ! age ( fifty-"o4
 ,t same ye> 8 wife1 my ,aunt ,julia1   
di$4 ,%e 0 j =ty-eight4 ,!n my o!r aunt1
 ,fanny1 fa!r's si/]1 di$ ( canc] ( !   
?roat4 ,%e 0 r old]1 fifty-f\r4 ,n q two

 ye>s aft]w>d my c\s91 ,george1 son (   
,uncle ,frank1 di$4 ,he 0 sev]al ye>s   
y\ng] ?an ,i1 tw5ty-n9e4 ,f9ally my     
/ep-"m di$1 la/ week4 ,%e 0 =ty-n9e4 ,s1
 ,i suppose we may be p>don$ if1 someh[1
 9 spite ( ! fact1 z y say1 t _m believe
 t ! disease is n contagi\s or infecti\s
 or :atev] y call x1 we believe t x     
lurks 9 ! h\se4 ,myra & ,i w\ld get out 
tomorr[1 only fa!r insi/s t !re is no?+ 
9 x1 says x is all h]$ity4 ,i don't "k b
 t t's worse4 ,t means t !re is no      
escape4  ,we _h come d[n ! wide /aircase
 into ! libr>y1 :]e we jo9$ ,myra1 :o 0 
re/+ on a *aise-longue4  ,i %\ld l v mu*
 to h a talk ) ,dr4 ,goode1 sugge/$     
,craig4  ,by all means1 agre$ ,myra     
eag]ly4 ,i'll g ov] to 8 (fice ) y4 ,x  
is only next door4  ,!n ,i'll wait "h1  
said ,lionel1 r curtly1 ,i ?\ght4  ,i   
fanci$ t !re 0 a coolness t am\nt$ to a 
lat5t ho/ility betwe5 ,lionel & ,dr4    
,goode1 & ,i wond]$ ab\t x4  ,across !  
sp>se lawn t /ruggl$ up "u ! deep %ade (
 ! trees /ood a small]1 less pret5ti\s  

h\se ( a mu* m mod]n type4 ,t 0 :]e ,dr4
 ,goode liv$4  ,we cross$ ) ,myra ?r\gh 
a break 9 ! h$ge betwe5 ! two h\ses4 ,z 
we 7 ab\t to pass betwe5 ! two gr\nds1  
,k5n$y's foot kick$ some?+ t seem$ to h 
roll$ d[n f "s rubbi% on ! b\nd>y l9e ( 
! two prop]ties1 pil$ up evid5tly wait+ 
to be c>t$ away4  ,craig /oop$ casually 
& pick$ ! object up4 ,x 0 a que] ,v-%ap$
 little porcela9 cone4 ,he gave x a ha/y
 look1 !n dropp$ x into 8 pocket4  ,dr4 
,goode1 into ^: (fice ,myra l$ u1 0 a   
y\ngi% man1 smoo?-%av51 ! type ( ! new  
g5]ation ( doctors4 ,he _h come to      
,norwood sev]al ye>s be=e & _h /ruggl$  
up to a v fair practice4  ,miss ,moreton
 tells me1 began ,k5n$y aft] we _h be5  
introduc$1 t !re is a !ory t !irs is "o 
( ^! s-call$ canc] h\ses4  ,! doctor    
look$ at u ke5ly4 ,yes1 he nodd$1 ,i h  
he>d t !ory express$--& o!rs1 too4 ,(   
c\rse1 ,i hav5't _h a *ance to v]ify x4 
,b ,i may say t1 privately1 ,i am h>dly 
prep>$ to accept x1 yet1 z a case (     
canc] h\se4  ,he 0 v gu>d$ 9 8 *oice (  

words1 b did n succe$ 9 cov]+ up ! fact 
t he _h a !ory ( 8 own4  ,i 0 wat*+ bo? 
! "y doctor & ,myra4 ,%e _h ent]$ 8     
(fice 9 a way t sugge/$ t %e 0 some?+ m 
?an a pati5t4 ,z ,i wat*$ !m1 x did n   
take "o ( v ke5 p]ception to discov] t  
!y 7 on v intimate t]ms inde$ & ?\ght v 
highly ( ea* o!r4 ,a glance at !        
solitaire on ,myra's f+] conv9c$ me4 ,!y
 7 engag$4  ,y don't believe x1 !n8 ask$
 ,craig quickly4  ,! "y man hesitat$ &  
%rugg$ 8 %\ld]s4  ,y h a !ory ( y\r own8
 p]si/$ ,craig1 det]m9$ to get an answ]4
  ,i don't "k :e!r ,i h or n1 he repli$ 
non-committally4  ,is x t y ?9k x       
possible to produce canc] artificially &
 purposely8 %ot out ,craig4  ,dr4 ,goode
 consid]$4 ,i wond]$ :e!r he _h any     
suspicions ( :i* he w\ld n speak because
 ( pr(essional e?ics4 ,k5n$y _h fix$ 8  
eyes on him %>ply & ! doctor seem$      
uneasy "u ! scrut9y4  ,i've he>d (      
cases1 he v5tur$ f9ally1 :]e ,x-rays &  
radium h caus$ canc]\s gr[?s4 ,y "k     
sev]al ( ! exp]im5t]s h lo/ _! lives 9 t

 way--m>tyrs to sci5ce4  ,i c\ld n help1
 someh[ or o!r1 ?9k+ ( ,dr4 ,loeb4 ,did 
,dr4 ,goode ref] indirectly to him8     
,loeb c]ta9ly 0 no m>tyr to sci5ce4 ,he 
might be a *>latan4 ,b 0 he a sci5tific 
villa98  ,t may all be true1 pursu$     
,craig rel5tlessly1 evid5tly b\nd to    
draw ! "y man out4 ,b x is1 aft] all1 a 
"q ( fact1 n ( op9ion4  ,myra 0 look+ at
 him eag]ly n[ & ! doctor saw t %e      
expect$ him to speak4 ,x 0 m pressure   
?an he c\ld resi/4  ,i h long suspect$  
some?+ ( ! sort1 he rem>k$ 9 a l[1 =c$  
tone4 ,i've _h samples ( ! blood ( !    
,moretons exam9$4 ,9 fact ,i h f\nd t _!
 blood affects ! photographic plate     
?r\gh a lay] ( black pap]4 ,y "k r$     
blood cells & s]um h a di/9ct p[] (     
r$uc+ photo-silv] on plates :5 expos$ to
 c]ta9 radiations4 ,9 o!r words1 ,i h   
f\nd t _! blood is1 app>5tly1           
radioactive6  ,myra look$ at him agha/4 
,x 0 evid5tly ! fir/ "t he _h said any?+
 ab\t ?is new suspicion1 ev5 to h]4 ,! v
 idea 0 %ock+4 ,c\ld x be t someone 0   

us+ ^! new =ces ) devili% +5uity8  ,if  
t's ! case1 :o w\ld be ! mo/ likely     
p]son to d su* a ?+8 %ot out ,craig4  ,i
 w\ldn't l to say1 he return$1 dodg+1   
?\gh we 7 all ?9k+ ( ,dr4 ,loeb4  ,b !  
motive8 dem&$ ,craig4 ,:at motive w\ld  
!re be8  ,d>ius ,moreton is v intimate )
 a c]ta9 p]son1 he return$              
enigmatically4 ,x is ev5 report$ 9 t[n t
 he has left t p]son a l>ge sum ( money 
9 8 w 9 paym5t = 8 s]vices1 if y call !m
 s1 to ! family4  ,he _h evid5tly n     
int5d$ to say s mu* &1 al?\gh ,craig    
tri$ 9 e way1 he c\ld n get ! doctor to 
amplify :at he _h h9t$ at4  ,we return$ 
to ! ,moreton h\se1 ,k5n$y app>5tly mu* 
impress$ by :at ,dr4 ,goode _h said4    
,if y w p]mit me1 he ask$1 ,i %\ld l to 
h a few drops ( blood f ea* ( y4  ,goode
 tri$ t1 rem>k$ old ,mr4 ,moreton4 ,i   
don't "k t any?+ came ( x4 ,/ill1 ,i am 
n go+ to refuse1 if ,myra & ,lionel     
agree4  ,craig _h already tak5 f 8      
pocket a small case conta9+ a hypod]mic 
& "s little glass tubes4 ,!re seem$ to  

be no valid objection & f ea* ( !m he   
drew (f a small quantity ( blood4 ,z he 
work$1 ,i ?\ght ,i saw :at he _h 9 m9d4 
,c\ld !re be1 ,i wond]$1 an ,x-ray      
outfit or p]haps radium conceal$ ab\t ! 
liv+ rooms ( ! h\se8 ,fir/ ( all1 x 0   
necess>y to v]ify ,dr4 ,goode's         
obs]vations4  ,we *att$ a few mom5ts1 !n
 took leave ( ,myra ,moreton4  ,keep up 
y\r c\rage1 :isp]$ ,craig ) a look t    
told h] t he _h se5 ! conflict betwe5   
loyalty to h] fa!r & to h] lov]4        
,lionel drove u back to ! /ation 9 ! c> 
alone4 ,no?+ ( importance 0 said by any 
( u until we _h almo/ rea*$ ! /ation4   
,i c see1 he said f9ally1 t y don't feel
 sure t x is a canc] h\se4  ,k5n$y said 
no?+4  ,well1 he pursu$1 ,i don't "k    
any?+ ab\t x1 ( c\rse4 ,b ,i d "k ?is   
mu*--^? doctors are mak+ a good ?+ out (
 fa!r & ! re/ ( u4  ,! c> _h pull$ up4  
,i've got no use = ,loeb1 ! "y man w5t  
on4 ,/ill1 ,i'd r n t we _h tr\ble )    
him4 ,i'll tell y1 he add$ 9 a bur/ (   
confid5ce1 he has a little girl :o works

 = him1 8 secret>y1 ,miss ,gold]4 ,%e   
comes f ,norwood4 ,i %\ld hate to h     
any?+ happ5 to que] h]4 ,p us$ to ?9k   
,goode 0 engag$ to h] be=e he took t    
(fice next to u & got ambiti\s4 ,fa!r   
plac$ h] ) ,dr4 ,loeb4 ,if x's necess>y 
to d any?+ ) him1 ,i wi% y'd ?9k :e!r %e
 c\ldn't be kept out ( x 9 "s way4      
,i'll try to d x1 agre$ ,craig1 z we    
%ook h&s & climb$ on ! e>ly aft]noon    
tra9 back to ! city4     ,,*apt] ,,xxix 
,,! ,,quack ,,doctors   ,k5n$y's fir/   
move 0 to g d[nt[n to ! old build+      
opposite ! ,city ,hall & visit !        
po/-(fice inspectors4  ,i've he>d ( !   
gov]nm5t's campaign aga9/ ! m$ical      
quacks :o are us+ ! mails1 he introduc$ 
:5 we at la/ f\nd ! prop] inspector4 ,i 
wond] :e!r y "k a ,dr4 ,adam ,loeb8     
,loeb8 repeat$ ! inspector1 ,o',hanlon1 
:o 0 9 *>ge ( ! inve/igation :i* 0 !n 9 
progress4 ,( c\rse we "k ,loeb--a v     
slipp]y cu/om]1 too1 ) j en\gh sci5ce at
 8 comm& to make ! case aga9/ him       
difficult4  ,i suppose1 w5t on          

,o',hanlon1 y "k t 9 ,europe ! popul>   
furore ab\t radium & its applications   
appe>$ e>li] ?an x did "h4 ,b n[ we h   
great numb]s ( di%one/ & fake radium    
cure e/abli%m5ts4 ,usually !y h nei!r   
radium nor k4 ,!y promise a cure1 b !y  
c't ev5 palliate ! tr\ble4 ,loeb has "s 
radium1 ,i guess1 b t's ab\t all4  ,i   
?9k ,i'd l to visit ! 'doctor' & 8      
'm$ical museum1' v5tur$ ,k5n$y :5       
,o',hanlon _h f9i%$ describ+ ! case to  
u4  ,v well1 agre$ ,o',hanlon4 ,our     
cases aga9/ ! quacks are j ab\t         
complet$4 ,i've he>d a great deal ab\t  
y1 ,mr4 ,k5n$y4 ,i ?9k ,i may tru/ y4   
,! inspector paus$4 ,tomorr[1 he add$1  
look+ at u significantly1 we h plann$ a 
simultane\s raid ( all ( !m 9 ! city4   
,h[ev]1 !re's no objection to y\r see+  
,dr4 ,loeb1 if y'll be c>eful to give no
 h9t t some?+ is ab\t to be pull$ (f4   
,i'm sure any new evid5ce we may get    
aga9/ him w be q welcome4  ,i'd l to see
 him 9 action be=e ! raid1 ha/5$ ,craig4
  ,well1 ,i ?9k ! be/ way1 !n1 = y to   

get at him1 advis$ ! inspector1 w\ld be 
to adopt ! me?od my inve/igators use )  
^! fak]s4 ,i mean = "o or ! o!r ( y to  
pose z a prospective pati5t4 ,only don't
 let him treat y too mu* ) any ( ^?     
electrical ?+s ( 84  ,craig glanc$ ov]  
at me :imsically4  ,oh1 ,i said         
good-humor$ly1 ,i'll be ! goat1 if t's  
:at y're go+ to ask me4  ,craig laugh$4 
,come 9 tomorr[1 call$ ! inspector z we 
left4 ,i'd l to he> :at happ5s & ,i may 
be able to add some?+ to :at y f9d out4 
,we f\nd ,dr4 ,loeb e/abli%$ 9 a        
palatial suite ( (fices 9 an ultra-mod]n
 (fice build+4 ,outside 0 :at he call$ 8
 m$ical museum4 ,x 0 a grewsome         
collection ( wax figures & color$ *>ts  
well calculat$ to prep>e "o = ! wor/4   
,at ! end ( ! room 0 a huge sign be>+ 8 
"n & ! words1 ,positive ,cure = ,canc]  
,)\t ,caut]y or ! ,knife4  ,!re 7 no    
capp]s or /e]]s ab\t ! place1 ?\gh ,i h 
no d\bt he _h !m work+ = him outside to 
br+ 9 bus9ess4 ,in/ead1 we 7 met by a v 
pretty1 fluffy-hair$ girl1 evid5tly !   

doctor's secret>y4 ,%e1 ,i ga!r$1 0 !   
,miss ,gold] :om ,lionel _h m5tion$4 ,9 
fact1 ,i felt t %e 0 really mu* above ! 
level ( su* a position4  ,loeb's (fice 0
 elaborately equipp$4 ,!re 7 /atic      
ma*9es1 electric coils1 high frequ5cy   
appliances1 ,x-ray outfits1 galvanic &  
f>adic cab9ets1 electric light          
reflectors ( high p[]1 light ba?        
cab9ets1 electric vibrators1 high       
pressure nebuliz]s & ozoniz]s--ev]y?+1 z
 ,craig express$ x lat]1 to impress !   
pati5t t ,loeb c\ld cure any disease !  
fle% 0 heir to4 ,i "k t x impress$ me4  
,! doctor himself 0 a pomp\s man (      
middle age1 ) a v =midable be>d & a deep
 voice t =bade contradiction4  ,i've    
come to y on ! recomm5dation ( a pati5t 
( y\rs1 began ,craig1 add+ ha/ily1 n =  
myself1 b = my fri5d "h1 :om ,i'm afraid
 isn't v well4  ,! doctor ey$ me ?r\gh 8
 gold-rimm$ spectacles4 ,already ,i     
began to feel %aky4  ,:o recomm5d$ y8 he
 ask$ casually4  ,my fri5d1 ,mr4 ,d>ius 
,moreton ( ,norwood4 ,i suppose y       

rememb] him8  ,oh1 v well1 v well4 ,a   
mo/ peculi> case1 t ( ! ,moretons4 ,i h 
succe$$ 9 prolong+ _! lives beyond :at  
anyone else c\ld h done4 ,b ,i fe> t !y 
hav5't all foll[$ my treatm5t4 ,y "k1 y 
mu/ put y\rself entirely 9 my h&s1 & !re
 is a "y doctor out !re1 ,i believe1 :om
 !y h also4 ,t isn't fair to me4 ,i     
wond] :e!r y are acqua9t$ ) my me?ods ( 
treatm5t8  ,k5n$y %ook 8 head           
negatively4  ,miss ,gold]1 ! doctor     
call$1 z ! fluffy-hair$ secret>y        
respond$ quickly1 w y give ^! g5tlem5 "s
 ( my booklets on ! ,loeb ,me?od4  ,miss
 ,gold] took f a cab9et sev]al h&somely 
pr9t$ pamphlets extoll+ ! skill &       
success ( ,dr4 ,loeb4 ,l ev]y?+ else    
ab\t him1 no exp5se _h be5 sp>$ to      
impress ! read]4  ,z ,miss ,gold] left !
 (fice1 ,dr4 ,loeb began a rapid        
exam9ation ( me1 us+ an ,x-ray ma*9e4 ,i
 am sure t if ,i _h n receiv$ a         
surreptiti\s enc\rag+ nod f ,craig n[ & 
!n1 ,i %\ld h be5 ready to croak or ca% 
91 accord+ to :i*ev] ,dr4 ,loeb         

sugge/$--probably ! latt]1 = ,i c\ld n  
help ?9k+ t a great deal ( "t 0 sp5t 9  
m5tally ,x-ray+ my pocketbook4  ,:5 he  
f9i%$1 ! doctor %ook 8 head gravely4 ,( 
c\rse ,i 0 ?reat5$4 ,b ! ?+ 0 only      
incipi5t4 ,/ill1 if x 7 n att5d$ to     
imm$iately x 0 only a "q ( a %ort "t :5 
,i might be z badly1 z ! wax figures &  
*>ts outside4 ,i _h =tunately come j 9  
"t to be sav$4  ,i ?9k t ) ! electrical 
treatm5t we c get rid ( t malignant gr[?
 9 a mon?1 he promis$1 fix+ a price = ! 
treatm5t :i* ,i ?\ght 0 pretty high1    
consid]+ ! brief "t he _h actually sp5t 
on me1 & ! slight co/ ( electric light &
 p[]4  ,i paid him t5 doll>s on deposit1
 & aft] a f9al consultation we left !   
doctor's (fice4 ,i 0 to return = a      
treatm5t 9 a c\ple ( days4  ,we turn$   
out ( ! entrance ( ! (fice build+ j z   
scores ( employes 7 hurry+ home4 ,z we  
rea*$ ! door1 ,i felt ,k5n$y grasp my   
arm4 ,i swung ar\nd4 ,!re1 9 an angle ( 
! corridor1 ,i caught sight ( a famili> 
figure4 ,dr4 ,goode 0 /&+1 evid5tly     

wait+ = someone to come out4 ,!re 7     
sev]al elevators & ! cr[d ( dis*>g+     
pass5g]s 0 ?ick4 ,he _h be5 s int5t on  
look+ = someone he expect$1 app>5tly1 t 
he _h miss$ u4  ,k5n$y drew me on into !
 doorway ( ! build+ next door1 f :i* we 
c\ld obs]ve ev]yone :o w5t 9 & out ( !  
skyscrap] 9 :i* ,dr4 ,loeb _h 8 (fices4 
,i wond] :at he's d[n "h =1 sc[l$       
,k5n$y4  ,p]haps he's do+ "s detective  
"w ( 8 own1 ,i sugge/$4  ,lionel        
,moreton said t ,miss ,gold] & he us$ to
 be intimate1 rum9at$ ,k5n$y4 ,i wond]  
if he's wait+ = h]8  ,we did n h long to
 wait4 ,x 0 only a few m9utes :5        
,k5n$y's surmise prov$ correct4 ,miss   
,gold] & ,dr4 ,goode came out1 & turn$ 9
 ! direction ( ! railroad /ation =      
,norwood4 ,he 0 eag]ly que/ion+ h] ab\t 
some?+1 p]haps1 ,i imag9$1 our visit to 
,dr4 ,loeb4 ,:at did x mean8  ,!re 0 no 
use & x 0 too risky to foll[ !m4 ,k5n$y 
turn$ & we made our way upt[n to !      
laboratory1 :]e he plung$ at once into  
an exam9ation ( ! blood specim5s he _h  

tak5 f ! ,moretons & ( ! peculi>        
porcela9 cone :i* he _h pick$ up 9 !    
rubbi% pile betwe5 ! two h\ses4  ,hav+  
empti$ ! specim5s ( blood 9 sev]al      
little %all[ glass receptacles :i* he   
cov]$ ) black pap] & "s v s5sitive      
films1 he turn$ 8 att5tion to ! cone4 ,i
 not$ t he 0 v p>ticul> 9 8 exam9ation (
 x1 app>5tly be+ v c>eful to sep>ate    
:atev] x 0 he 0 look+ = on ! inside & ! 
outside surfaces4  ,t1 he expla9$ to me 
at l5g? z he work$1 is :at is kn[n z a  
,b]kefeld filt]1 a little por\s cup1    
made ( porcela94 ,! m9ute me%es ( ?is   
filt] cat* & hold bact]ia z if 9 ! me%es
 ( a microscopic sieve1 j l an ord9>y   
wat] filt]4 ,x is s f9e t x holds back  
ev5 ! t9y bacillus fluoresc5s           
liquefaci5s :i* are us$ to te/ x4 ,^!   
bacilli measure only f a half to "o &   
"o-&-a-half micromillimet]s 9 diamet]4  
,9 o!r words #acj1jjj g]ms ( half a     
micromillimet] w\ld be necess>y to make 
an in*4  ,:at has x be5 us$ =8 ,i       
v5tur$4  ,i c't say1 yet1 he return$1 & 

,i did n pursue ! inquiry1 kn[+ ,k5n$y's
 av]sion to be+ que/ion$ :5 he 0 n yet  
sure ( 8 facts4  ,x 0 ! next day :5 !   
po/-(fice inspectors1 ! police & o!rs :o
 _h be5 co-op]at+ _h settl$ on ! raid n 
only ( ,dr4 ,loeb's b ( all ! m$ical    
quacks :o 7 fleec+ ! cr$ul\s ( ! city   
out ( hundr$s ( ?\s&s ( doll>s a ye> by 
"o ( ! mo/ cruel sw9dles t h ev] be5    
devis$4  ,= ! "t1 ,k5n$y dropp$ 8       
inve/igations 9 ! laboratory & we w5t   
d[n to ,o',hanlon's (fice1 :]e a ?ick   
bat* ( w>rants1 j sign$1 _h be5 receiv$4
  ,quickly ,o',hanlon dispos$ 8 =ces s t
 9 all p>ts ( ! t[n !y might swoop d[n  
at once & ga!r 9 ! m$ical h>pies4 ,dr4  
,loeb's /ood fir/ on ! li/ ( ^? :i*     
,o',hanlon decid$ to h&le himself4  ,by 
! way1 m5tion$ ,o',hanlon z we hurri$   
upt[n to be ready 9 "t1 ,i _h a lett] f 
,d>ius ,moreton ?is morn+ ?reat5+ me )  
all k9ds ( tr\ble unless we let up on   
,dr4 ,loeb4 ,x's pretty h>d to keep a   
big inve/igation l ?is secret1 b ,i ?9k 
we've plann$ a little surprise = ?is    

morn+4  ,) ! po/-(fice inspector we     
climb$ into a patrol wagon ) a detail ( 
police :o 7 to make a g5]al r\nd-up ( ! 
places on ,=ty-second ,/reet4  ,z !     
wagon back$ up to ! curb 9 front ( !    
build+ 9 :i* ,loeb's (fice 01 ! policem5
 hopp$ out & hurri$ into ! build+ be=e a
 cr[d c\ld collect4 ,unc]emoni\sly !y   
ru%$ ?r\gh ! out] (fice1 head$ by       
,o',hanlon4  ,quickly ?\gh ! raid 0     
execut$1 x c\ld n be done )\t "s w>n+   
commotion4 ,z we ent]$ ! front door ( ! 
(fice1 we c\ld j cat* a glimpse ( a man 
retreat+ ?r\gh a back door4 ,!re 0      
some?+ famili> ab\t 8 back1 & ,k5n$y &  
,i />t$ aft] him4 ,b we 7 too late4 ,he 
_h fl$ )\t ev5 wait+ = 8 hat1 :i* lay on
 ,miss ,gold]'s desk1 & _h disappe>$ d[n
 a back /airway :i* _h be5 left ungu>d$4
  ,conf\nd x1 mutt]$ ,o',hanlon1 z we   
return$1 ,loeb hasn't be5 "h today4 ,:o 
0 t8  ,i don't "k1 repli$ ,craig1 pick+ 
up ! hat1 und]nea? :i* lay a package4   
,he op5$ ! package4 ,inside 7 half a    
doz5 ,b]kefeld filt]s1 ^? peculi>       

porcela9 cones su* z we _h f\nd out at  
,norwood4  ,quickly ,craig ran 8 eye ov]
 ! mass ( pap]s on ,miss ,gold]'s desk4 
,he pick$ up an appo9tm5t book & turn$ !
 pages rapidly4 ,!re 7 sev]al entries t 
seem$ to int]e/ him4 ,i b5t ov]4 ,among 
o!r names ent]$ dur+ ! pa/ few days ,i  
made out bo? ,moreton & ,dr4 ,goode4 ,i 
recall$ ! lett] :i* ,o',hanlon _h       
receiv$ f ,moreton4 ,_h he or someone   
else got w9d ( ! raids & tipp$ (f ,dr4  
,loeb8  ,above ! hubbub ( ! raid ,i c\ld
 he> ,o',hanlon putt+ poor little ,miss 
,gold] ?r\gh a ?ird degree4  ,:o 0 x t  
w5t out8 he %\t$ into h] face4 ,y might 
z well tell4 ,if y don't x'll g h>d ) y4
  ,b1 l all wom5 :o h be5 tak5 into ^!  
get-ri*-quick sw9dles1 %e 0 loyal to a  
fault4 ,i don't "k1 %e sobb$1 dabb+ at  
h] eyes ) a bit ( a lace h&k]*ief4  ,nor
 c\ld all ( ,o',hanlon's bulldoz+ get   
ano!r admission out ( h] except t x 0 a 
/rang]4 ,%e prote/$ & wept4 ,b %e ev5   
rode (f 9 ! patrol wagon ) ! re/ ( !    
employes unmov$4  ,:om 0 %e %ield+8 ,all

 we _h 0 ! secret>y1 a c\ple ( capp]s1 &
 half a doz5 pati5ts1 regul> &          
prospective1 :o _h be5 wait+ 9 ! (fice4 
,we _h a wagon-load ( evid5ce1 includ+  
lett]s & circul>s1 app>atus ( all k9ds1 
m$ic9es1 & pills4 ,b !re 0 no?+ m4      
,craig did n seem especially int]e/$ 9 !
 mass ( /uff :i* ! police _h seiz$4  ,9 
fact ! only ?+ t seem$ to int]e/ him 0 !
 man :o _h disappe>$4 ,we _h 8 hat & !  
package ( filt]s4 ,craig pick$ up ! hat 
& exam9$ x4  ,x's a s(t hat &           
consequ5tly doesn't tell u v mu* ab\t ! 
%ape ( 8 head1 he rem>k$4 ,!n 8 face    
bright5$4 ,b he c\ldn't h left any?+ mu*
 bett]1 he rem>k$ complac5tly1 z he w5t 
ov] to "o ( ! little wall cab9ets :i* ! 
t[el s]vice companies place ov]         
wa%-bas9s 9 (fices4 ,he took f x a comb 
& bru% & wrapp$ !m up c>efully4  ,i     
look$ at ! hat also4 ,!re 0 no "n 9 x1 n
 ev5 ! usual initials4 ,:at did ,craig  
mean8  ,o!r raids 9 v>i\s p>ts ( ! city 
prov$ f> m successful ?an ! "o 9 :i* we 
_h p>ticipat$ & ,o',hanlon quickly =got 

8 *agr9 9 ! reports t soon came pil+ 94 
,z = ourselves we _h no fur!r int]e/    
except 9 ! disposition ( ?is case1 &    
,craig decid$ %ortly to g back to "w    
aga9 9 ! laboratory among 8 te/-tubes1  
slides1 & microscopes4  ,i w leave y to 
foll[ ! cases aga9/ ! quacks1 p>ticul>ly
 ,dr4 ,loeb & ,miss ,gold]1 ,walt]1 he  
said4 ,by ! way1 y saw me take t hair   
bru%4 ,i wi% ,i _h a collection ( !m4 ,9
 "s way y mu/ get me a hair bru% f ,dr4 
,goode4 ,y'll h to take a trip out to   
,norwood4 ,& :ile y are !re1 get !      
bru%es f ,d>ius ,moreton & ,lionel4 ,i  
don't "k h[ y'll get ,goode's1 b ,myra w
 help y ) ! o!rs1 ,i'm sure4  ,he turn$ 
to 8 "w & 0 soon absorb$ 9 "s           
microscopic /udies1 leav+ me no *ance to
 "q him ab\t 8 /range commission4       
,,*apt] ,,xxx  ,,! ,,filt]able ,,virus  
,i 0 surpris$ to run into ,o',hanlon    
himself 9 ! tra9 out to ,norwood4 ,!    
failure to get ,dr4 ,loeb tr\bl$ him &  
he _h reason$ t if ,d>ius ,moreton took 
! tr\ble to write a lett] ab\t 8 fri5d  

he might possibly "k m ( 8 :]eab\ts ?an 
he pr(ess$4 ,we discuss$ ! case ne>ly ! 
:ole j\rney1 agree+ to sep>ate j be=e we
 rea*$ ! /ation 9 ord] n to be se5      
toge!r4  ,x took me long] to c>ry out   
,k5n$y's reque/ ?an ,i _h expect$4 ,i   
f\nd ,myra at home alone1 v mu* excit$4 
,someone call$ me up f ,new ,york ?is   
morn+1 %e said1 & ask$ :e!r fa!r &      
,lionel 7 at home4 ,i ?\ght !y 7 at !   
factory1 b :5 ,i call$ !re1 ! =eman told
 me !y hadn't be5 !re4 ,& ,dr4 ,goode is
 out1 too--hasn't se5 any ( 8 pati5ts   
today4 ,oh1 ,mr4 ,jameson1 :at does x   
all mean8 ,:]e h !y gone8  ,i 0 a poor  
"o to com=t h]1 = ,i _h no idea myself4 
,/ill1 ,i did my be/1 & incid5tally     
secur$ ! bru%es1 ?\gh ,i mu/ confess ,i 
_h to commit a little second-/ory "w to 
get into ,dr4 ,goode's4  ,x seem$       
he>tless to leave ! poor girl all alone1
 b ,i knew t ,k5n$y 0 wait+ anxi\sly =  
me4 ,i promis$ to make inquiries all ov]
 ab\t h] fa!r1 ,lionel1 & ,dr4 ,goode1  
&1 ,i ?9k1 ! m]e fact t someone %[$ an  

int]e/ 9 h] *e]$ h] up1 especially :5 ,i
 told h] ,k5n$y 0 work+ h>d on ! case4  
,z ,i wait$ = ! tra9 t 0 to take me back
 to ! city1 ! tra9 f ,new ,york pull$ 94
 ,imag9e my surprise :5 ,i saw ,miss    
,gold] /ep (f n]v\sly & hurry up ! ma9  
/reet4  ,i wat*$ h]1 debat+ :at to d1   
:e!r to let ,k5n$y wait & foll[ h]1 or  
n4  ,someone1 !y don't "k :o1 bail$ h]  
out1 ,i he>d a voice :isp] 9 my e>4  ,i 
turn$ quickly4 ,x 0 ,o',hanlon4 ,%e put 
up ca% bail1 he add$ "u 8 brea?4 ,no "o 
kn[s :]e %e got x4 ,i'm wait+ until %e  
turns t corn]--!n ,i'm go+ to %ad[ h]4  
,i c't seem to f9d anyone 9 ?is t[n j   
n[4 ,p]haps %e kn[s :]e ,loeb is4  ,if y
 get on ! trail1 w y wire me8 ,i ask$4  
,"h's my tra9 n[4  ,o',hanlon promis$1 &
 z ,i swung on ! /ep ,i caught a la/    
glimpse ( him saunt]+ casually 9 !      
direction ,miss ,gold] _h tak54  ,i h&$ 
,k5n$y ! bru%es ,i _h obta9$1 b he gave 
me no opportunity to satisfy my         
curiosity4 ,in/ead1 he />t$ me out aga9 
to keep 9 t\* ) ! progress made 9 !     

cases ( ! quacks1 p>ticul>ly ! se>* =   
,dr4 ,loeb1 :i* seem$ to int]e/ him q z 
mu* z ! bail+ out ( ,miss ,gold]4  ,x 0 
aft] d9n] & ,i 0 prep>+ to foll[ ! cases
 on into ! night c\rt1 if necess>y1 :5  
"o ( ,o',hanlon's assi/ants hurri$ up to
 me4  ,we've j _h a wire f ,mr4         
,o',hanlon1 he cri$ excit$ly1 h&+ me a  
telegram4  ,i read3       ,loeb captur$ 
,norwood4 ,d>ius ,moreton hid+ him 9    
vacant      h\se outside t[n4 ,advise   
,k5n$y4  ,i da%$ = ! ne>e/ telephone &  
call$ up ,craig4  ,f9e1 ,walt]1 he %\t$ 
back4 ,i am ready4 ,meet me at ! /ation 
& wire ,o',hanlon to wait !re = u4  ,we 
made ! j\rney to ,norwood z impati5tly z
 any two pass5g]s on ! accommodation at 
t h\r ( night1 ,craig c>ry+ 8 evid5ce 9 
! case 9 a little lea!r h& sat*el4      
,already1 out at ! old h\se1 ,o',hanlon 
_h ga!r$ ! ,moreton family1 ,dr4 ,goode1
 :o _h turn$ up ) ! re/1 ,dr4 ,loeb1 &  
,miss ,gold]4 ,myra ,moreton 0 ev5 m    
agitat$ ?an %e _h be5 :5 ,i left h] dur+
 ! aft]noon4 ,9 fact ! secrecy ma9ta9$  

by bo? h] family & ,dr4 ,goode1 to say  
no?+ ( ! pres5ce ( ,dr4 ,loeb 9 ! h\se  
"u arre/1 _h all b brok5 h] d[n4 ,%e    
greet$ ,k5n$y almo/ z ?\gh he _h be5 a  
life-long fri5d4  ,i want y to look aft]
 ,miss ,moreton1 ,walt]1 he said 9 a l[ 
tone z we ?ree /ood 9 ! hall4 ,& y1     
,miss ,moreton1 ,i want to tru/ me :5 ,i
 tell y ,i am go+ to br+ y safely out ( 
?is ?+4 ,be a brave girl1 he enc\rag$1  
tak+ h] h&4 ,rememb] t ,mr4 ,jameson &  
,i are "h solely 9 y\r int]e/4  ,i "k x1
 %e murmur$1 h] lip trembl+4 ,i w try4  
,a mom5t lat] we ent]$ ! ,moreton       
libr>y4 ,dr4 ,loeb 0 gl>+ imp>tially at 
ev]ybody4 ,i am sure t if he _h be5 able
 to get at any ( 8 =midable electrical  
app>atus he w\ld h made %ort "w ( u )\t 
caut]y or knife4 ,d>ius ,moreton 0      
indignant1 ,lionel sup]cili\s1 ,dr4     
,goode sil5t4  ,k5n$y lo/ no "t 9 gett+ 
d[n to ! bus9ess t _h br\ght him out to 
,norwood1 = ?is 0 n exactly a sociable  
ga!r+4  ,( c\rse1 he began1 lay+ 8 lea!r
 case on ! table & unlock+1 b n op5+ x1 

ref]5ces to canc] h\ses ab\nd 9 m$ical  
lit]ature1 b ,i ?9k ,i am safe 9 say+ t 
no?+ has be5 conclusively prov$ 9 favor 
ei!r ( ! believ]s or ! skeptics4 ,at    
lea/1 x may be said to be an op5 "q1 ) !
 weight ( op9ion aga9/ x4 ,su*          
physicians z ,sir ,?omas ,oliv] h said t
 ! evid5ce 9 favor is too /rong to be   
ignor$4 ,o!rs1 equally brilliant1 h %[n 
:y x %\ld be ignor$4  ,9 ! abs5ce (     
bett] pro(--or r 9 ! pres5ce ( o!r      
facts--p]haps1 9 ?is case1 x w\ld be    
bett] to see :e!r !re is n "s o!r !ory t
 may fit ! facts bett]4  ,dr4 ,goode    
?\ght t ! canc]s might h be5 caus$      
artificially by ,x-rays or radium1 ,i   
v5tur$4  ,craig %ook 8 head4 ,i h tak5 a
 piece ( filt] pap] saturat$ ) a        
solution ( potassium iodide1 />* pa/e1 &
 f]rosulphate & laid x ov] a sample (   
blood1 n f\r millimet]s away4 ,! :ole ,i
 h kept 9 ! d>k4  ,n[1 we "k t blood    
gives (f p]oxide ( hydrog54 ,p]oxide (  
hydrog5 is capable ( attack+            
photographic plates4 ,! pap] c be       

p]meat$ by a gas4 ,no1 t 0 n a case (   
photo-activity obs]v$ by ,dr4 ,goode4 ,x
 0 ! emission ( gas f ! blood t affect$ 
! plates4  ,b suppose t is ! case1      
object$ ,dr4 ,goode ha/ily4 ,!re are !  
dea?s f canc]4 ,h[ d y expla9 !m8 ,x is 
n a canc] h\se1 y say4 ,is x m]e *ance8 
,anyone may be p>don$ = believ+ t canc] 
h\ses or ev5 canc] di/ricts exi/1       
reit]at$ ,craig4 ,inde$ "s obs]vations  
seem to %[ x1 z ,i h said1 ?\gh !       
oppon5ts ( ! !ory claim to h f\nd o!r   
causes4 ,"h1 z y h9t1 five p1 liv+ 9    
close association1 h di$ 9 five ye>s4   
,he paus$ & drew f ! sat*el ! little    
porcela9 cone :i* he _h pick$ up betwe5 
! ,moreton & ,goode h\ses4  ,i h "h1 he 
resum$1 :at is kn[n z a ,b]kefeld filt]4
 ,its me%es let ?r\gh none ( ! g]ms t we
 c see ) a microscope4 ,x is            
bact]ia-pro(4 ,only some?+ small] ?an ^!
 ?+s c pass ?r\gh x1 some?+ t we _c see1
 a cle> wat]y fluid4 ,t some?+ 9 ?is    
case is a filt]able virus4  ,k5n$y paus$
 aga91 !n w5t on1 ,al?\gh ! filt]able   

viruses h only rec5tly come to att5tion1
 x is kn[n t !y are ( v div]se "*4 ,"h  
we h op5$ up ! _w ( ! inf9itely         
little--! univ]se t lies beyond ! range 
( ! microscope4 ,! /udy ( ^! t9y        
p>ticles is n[ "o ( ! greate/ objects 9 
sci5tific m$ic9e4  ,are !y liv+8 ,x     
seems s1 = a v little ( ! virus gives   
rise to gr[?s f :i* _m o!rs />t4 ,x may1
 ( c\rse1 be *emical1 b x looks z if x 7
 organic1 s9ce x resi/s cold1 al?\gh n  
heat1 & c be de/roy$ by ph5ol1 toluol1 &
 o!r antiseptics4 ,p]haps ! virus may be
 visible1 b n by any means yet kn[n4    
,/ill1 we d "k t ^! ?+s :i* no eye c see
 may cause "s ( ! commone/ diseases4    
,k5n$y paus$4 ,z usual he _h 8 little   
audi5ce foll[+ him brea?lessly4 ,ev5    
,dr4 ,loeb =got to gl[]4  ,9 rec5t      
exp]im5ts ) canc] 9 *ick5s1 cont9u$     
,craig1 tumor mat]ial gr\nd f9e & treat$
 9 v>i\s ways has be5 filt]$ ?r\gh ^!   
filt]s4 ,canc]s h be5 caus$ by ?is ag5t 
:i* has pass$ ?r\gh ! filt]4  ,on !     
inside ( ! filt] :i* ,i pick$ up back ( 

?is v h\se1 ne> ! b\nd>y ( ,dr4         
,goode's1 ,i h f\nd ! giant cells (     
canc]4 ,on ! outside 0 some?+ :i* ,i h  
be5 able to develop into a virus1 ^!    
micro-organisms t belong to !           
ultra-invisible4 ,i d n pret5d to "k j  
h[ ?is bact]iological dw>f has be5 us$4 
,b ,i "k en\gh to say t someone has1 )\t
 d\bt1 be5 us+ "s sort ( filt]able virus
 to induce canc]s1 j z ! exp]im5t]s at !
 ,rockefell] ,in/itute h done ) animals4
  ,naturally1 9 ! ,moreton family1 ?is  
p]son f\nd a f]tile soil4 ,p]haps he    
wait$ until he saw :at look$ l a        
favorable w\nd1 or traumatism4 ,x is    
well-kn[n t canc] (t5 c be trac$ to a   
w\nd4 ,p]haps he introduc$ ?is virus    
surreptiti\sly into a cut1 n[ & !n4 ,=1 
exp]im5ts %[ t ! virus is /rik+ly       
dep5d5t = its action on ! d]angem5t ( ! 
tissues ) :i* x is br\ght 9 contact4    
,?is p]son mu/ h _h a high p]c5tage (   
failures 9 8 attempts to inoculate !    
virus successfully4 ,b by p]si/5ce &    
tak+ advantage ( e pr$isposition af=d$  

by nature1 he succe$$4 ,at any rate1 ?is
 p]son mu/ h be5 intimately acqua9t$ ) !
 family1 mu/ h _h "s motive = seek+ _!  
dea?s1--= in/ance ! family =tune4  ,x   
makes no diff]5ce :e!r ! victims might h
 _h canc] soon] or lat]1 anyway4 ,ev5 if
 t 7 s1 ?is cold-blood$ villa9 0 at lea/
 ha/5+ ! developm5t1 if n actually caus+
 ! frightful & fatal disease4  ,myra    
,moreton %udd]$1 & look$ at ,dr4 ,goode 
anxi\sly z ,k5n$y proce$$4 ,he seem$    
ab\t to int]rupt1 b manag$ to *eck      
himself4 ,craig rea*$ ov] & pick$ out f 
! sat*el ! hat :i* we _h f\nd on a desk 
at ! (fice ( ! canc] quack4  ,9 ! raid (
 ,dr4 ,loeb's1 he expla9$1 *ang+ tone1 a
 man disappe>$4 ,i h "h a s(t hat :i* he
 left beh9d 9 8 hurry to escape1 z well 
z "s ( ! filt]s he 0 c>ry+4  ,he turn$ !
 hat inside out4 ,y w see1 ,craig po9t$ 
out1 t on ! felt ( ! inside !re are     
num]\s hairs1 f ! head ( ! we>]4  ,i    
lean$ =w>d1 brea?lessly4 ,i began to see
 ! "p ,i _h play$ 9 build+ up 8 case4   
,human hair1 he rem>k$1 diff]s greatly4 

,"u ! microscope "o may /udy ! oval-%ap$
 m$ulla1 ! long po9t$ cortex1 & ! flat  
cuticle cells ( an individual hair4 ,!  
pigm5t 9 ! cortex c be /udi$ also4  ,i h
 tak5 "s ( ! hairs f ! inside ( ?is hat1
 exam9$1 photograph$1 & measur$ !m4 ,i h
 comp>$ !m ) a color scale p]fect$ by ! 
late ,alphonse ,b]tillon4 ,9 fact1 9    
,france q a sci5ce has be5 built up ab\t
 hair by ! s-call$ 'pilologi/s4' ,!     
,g]man sci5tific crim9ali/s h writt5    
m9ute treaties on ! hair & a/\nd+       
results h be5 obta9$ by !m 9 detection4 
,i h be5 able to secure samples ( ! hair
 ( ev]yone 9 ?is case & ,i h /udi$ !m   
also4 ,^! hairs 9 ! hat :i* 0 left ov] !
 package ( filt]s h furni%$ me ) a sl5d]
 b no less damn+ clew to a v]itable     
mon/]4  ,"o c\ld h he>d a p9 drop1 z if 
,k5n$y 7 a judge pron\nc+ a dea? s5t5ce4
  ,dr4 ,loeb is guilty ( be+ "o ( ! mo/ 
he>tless ( quacks1 x is true1 ,k5n$y's  
voice rang out t5sely1 z he fac$ u4 ,b !
 sl[ murd]s1 "o by "o1 br++ ! family    
e/ate ne>] & ne>]--!y 7 done by "o :o   

hop$ to ?r[ ! blame on ,dr4 ,loeb1 by ! 
man ^: hair ,i h "h--,lionel ,moreton4  
,,*apt] ,,xxxi  ,,! ,,voodoo ,,my/]y    
,ev]ybody's crazy1 ,k5n$y4 ,! :ole _w is
 go+ mad6  ,our old fri5d1 ,burke1 ( !  
,secret ,s]vice1 sc[l$ at ! innoc5t     
objects 9 ,craig's laboratory z he mopp$
 8 broad =ehead4  ,& ! ,secret ,s]vice  
is z bad z ! re/1 he w5t on1 /ill sc[l+ 
& n wait+ = any comm5t f u4 ,:y1 :at )  
^! ,european spies & agitators1 /rik]s &
 dynamit]s1 we're ne>ly dippy4 ,"h1 9   
less ?an a week ,i've be5 %ift$ (f w>   
cases to ,mexico & n[ to ,hayti4 ,i     
don't mean t ,i've be5 away1 (          
c\rse1--oh1 no4 ,y don't h to g to !m4  
,!y come to u4 ,conf\nd x1 ,new ,york is
 full ( plots & c\nt]plots4 ,i tell y1  
,k5n$y1 ! :ole _w is crazy4  ,craig     
li/5$ ) sympa?y mix$ ) amusem5t4 ,c ,i  
help y out8 he ask$4  ,if y don't ,i'll 
be dippy1 too1 return$ ,burke ) a       
:imsical grimace4  ,:at's ! tr\ble )    
,hayti1 !n8 enc\rag$ ,k5n$y s]i\sly4    
,tr\ble en\gh1 answ]$ ,burke4 ,:y1 "h's 

t ,c>ibbean l9]1 ,hayti51 j 9 f ,port au
 ,pr9ce4 ,%e's full ( refugees--gov]nm5t
 support]s & revolutioni/s--y nev] saw  
su* a m5ag]ie s9ce ! ark4  ,i wat*$     
,burke ke5ly z he cut loose ) 8 (t5     
picturesque language4 ,someh[1 x seem$ r
 fasc9at+ to h ! op]a b\ffe side ( !    
,black ,republic pres5t$ to u4 ,at lea/ 
x 0 diff]5t f any?+ we _h _h lately--&  
p]haps n at all op]a b\ffe1 ei!r4       
,k5n$y1 at lea/1 did n seem to ?9k s1 = 
al?\gh he 0 v busy at ! "t1 seem$ prep>$
 to lay aside 8 "w to aid ,burke4  ,y   
hav5't he>d ab\t x yet1 cont9u$ !       
,secret ,s]vice man1 b on ! ,hayti5 0 a 
man--black ( c\rse--,guillaume ,leon4   
,he 0 a fri5d ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates--at lea/
 s he call$ himself1 ,i believe--want$ a
 new revolution d[n !re1 m ,am]ican     
m>9es l&$ to bol/] up a new gov]nm5t t  
w\ld clean ?+s up1 a new deal all ar\nd4
  ,burke paus$1 !n add$ by way (        
explanation ( 8 own attitude 9 ! matt]1 
,t may be all "r1 p]haps1--may be j :at 
!y ne$ d[n !re1 b we c't let p come "h &

 plot revolutions l t "r 9 ,new ,york4  
,!y're sore en\gh at u )\t our lett+ !m 
?9k 9 ,lat9 ,am]ica t we're tak+ a h& 9 
_! tr\bles4  ,q "r1 agre$ ,k5n$y4 ,ab\t 
,leon4  ,yes1 ,leon1 resum$ ,burke1     
gett+ back to ! subject4 ,well1 ,i 0    
told by ! ,*ief ( ! ,s]vice to look out 
= ?is fell[4 ,& ,i did4 ,i ?\ght x w\ld 
make a good beg9n+ to g d[n ! bay on a  
rev5ue tug to meet ! ,hayti5 at         
,qu>ant9e4 ,b1 by ,j+o1 no soon] 0 ,i   
ov] ! side ( ! %ip ?an :at d y suppose  
,i ran up aga9/8  ,he did n pause long  
en\gh to give u a guess1 b %ot out      
dramatically1 ,leon 0 dead--yes1 dead6  
,k5n$y & ,i _h be5 int]e/$ up to ?is    
po9t4 ,n[ we 7 eag] to h him g on4 ,he  
di$ on ! voyage up1 cont9u$ ,burke1 j   
aft] pass+ ! ,gulf ,/ream1 sudd5ly & f  
no app>5t cause4 ,at lea/ ! %ip's       
surgeon c\ldn't f9d any cause & nei!r   
c\ld !y d[n at ,qu>ant9e4 ,s aft] "s "t 
!y let ! %ip proce$ up ! bay & plac$ !  
:ole ?+ 9 ! h&s ( ! ,secret ,s]vice4    
,is !re anyone y suspect8 ,i ask$4      

,suspect8 repeat$ ,burke4 ,i suspect !m 
all4 ,! ,hayti5 0 full ( nigg]s--z      
sup]/iti\s z !y make 'em4 ,! %ip's      
surgeon tells me t aft] ! body ( ,leon 0
 discov]$ !re 0 su* a sc5e z he _h nev] 
witness$4 ,x 0 m l b$lam ?an a gr\p (   
human be+s4 ,"s 7 = putt+ ! body ov]    
into ! sea imm$iately4 ,o!rs ?reat5$    
murd] if x 0 done4 ,mo/ ( !m didn't "k  
:at x 0 !y want$4 ,!n1 !re 0 a woman    
!re4 ,%e seem$ to be ne>ly crazy--  ,!re
 came a knock at ! laboratory door4  ,if
 y'll j g into ! next room ) ,walt]1    
said ,craig to ,burke1 ,i'll see y 9 a  
few m9utes4 ,sit d[n1 make y\rself at   
home4  ,i w5t 9 ) him & ,burke dropp$   
into a *air beside my typewrit]4 ,!     
laboratory door op5$4 ,f :]e we 7 sitt+ 
we c\ld see 9 a mirror on ! opposite    
wall t x 0 a girl1 d>k ( sk91 p]haps a  
mulatto1 b extremely beautiful1 ) great 
br[n eyes & j a trace ( k9k9ess 9 h]    
black hair4 ,b x 0 ! worri$1 almo/      
haunt$1 look on h] face t attract$ "o's 
att5tion mo/4  ,i happ5$ to glance at   

,burke to see :e!r he _h notic$ x4 ,i   
?\ght 8 eyes w\ld pop out ( 8 head4  ,j 
!n ,k5n$y walk$ across ! laboratory &   
clos$ our door4  ,:at's ! matt]8 ,i     
:isp]$4  ,b be=e ,burke c\ld reply1 a   
draught op5$ ! door j a bit4 ,he plac$ 8
 f+] on 8 lips4 ,we c\ld n close ! door1
 & we sat !re 9 our corn] un9t5tional b 
no less int]e/$ eavesdropp]s4           
,mademoiselle ,collette ,aux ,cayes is  
my "n1 %e began1 ) a /rangely ,fr5*     
acc5t :i* we c\ld j und]/&4 ,i've he>d (
 y1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 z a great         
detective4  ,i %\ld be glad to d :at ,i 
c = y1 he return$4 ,b y mu/n't expect   
too mu*4 ,y seem to be 9 "s great       
tr\ble4  ,tr\ble--yes1 %e repli$        
excit$ly4 ,my "n isn't really ,aux      
,cayes4 ,t is ! "n ( my gu>dian1 a fri5d
 ( my fa!r's4 ,bo? my fa!r & "m are     
dead--kill$ by a mob dur+ an upris+     
sev]al ye>s ago4 ,i 0 9 ,p>is at ! "t1  
be+ educat$ 9 a conv5t1 or ,i suppose ,i
 %\ld h be5 kill$1 too4  ,%e seem$ to   
take x z a matt] ( c\rse1 f :i* ,i      

conclud$ t %e _h be5 s5t to ,p>is :5 %e 
0 v "y & did n rememb] h] p>5ts v well4 
,at la/ ! "t came = me to g back to     
,hayti1 %e resum$4 ,!re is no?+ t w\ld  
int]e/ y ab\t t--except t aft] ,i got   
back1 9 ,port au ,pr9ce1 ,i met a "y    
lawy]--,guillaume ,leon4  ,%e hesitat$ &
 look$ at ,craig z ?\gh try+ to read    
:e!r he _h ev] he>d ! "n be=e1 b ,k5n$y 
betray$ no?+4 ,!re 0 m ?an t 9 h] tone1 
?\gh4 ,x 0 evid5t t ,leon _h be5 m ?an a
 fri5d to h]4  ,hayti has be5 s upset   
dur+ ! pa/ mon?s1 %e w5t on1 t my       
gu>dian decid$ to g to ,new ,york1 & (  
c\rse ,i 0 tak5 along ) him4 ,x happ5$ t
 on ! %ip--! ,hayti5--,monsieur ,leon   
w5t also4 ,x 0 v nice until--  ,%e came 
to a full /op4 ,k5n$y enc\rag$ h] g5tly1
 kn[+ :at %e 0 go+ to tell4  ,"o night1 
aft] we _h be5 out "s "t1 %e resum$     
unexpect$ly1 ,i c\ld n sleep & ,i w5t   
out on ! deck to walk & wat* !          
moonlight4 ,z ,i walk$ s(tly up & d[n1  
,i he>d voices1 two m51 9 ! %ad[ ( "o ( 
! cab9s4 ,!y 7 talk+ & n[ & !n ,i c\ld  

cat* a ^w4 ,x 0 ab\t ,guillaume4 ,i he>d
 !m say t he 0 plott+ ano!r revolution1 
t t 0 ! reason he 0 go+ to ,new ,york--n
 because he want$ to be on ! boat ) me4 
,!re 0 some?+ ab\t money1 too1 al?\gh ,i
 c\ldn't get x v cle>ly4 ,x _h to d ) an
 ,am]ican bank+ h\se1 ,=sy!  ,co41 ,i   
?9k1--money t 0 to be paid to ,guillaume
 to />t an upris+4 ,i ?9k !y mu/ h he>d 
me1 = ,i c\ldn't he> any m & !y mov$ (f 
d[n ! deck1 s t ,i c\ldn't recognize !m4
 ,y see1 ,i am n a revolutioni/4 ,my    
gu>dian belongs to ! old ord]4  ,%e     
/opp$ aga91 z ?\gh 9 d\bt j h[ to g on4 
,anyh[1 %e cont9u$ f9ally1 ,i det]m9$ to
 tell ,guillaume4 ,x w\ld h made x h>d] 
= u--b x 0 he1 n 8 politics1 ,i lov$4   
,%e 0 almo/ cry+ z %e blurt$ out1 ,b x 0
 only ! next day t he 0 f\nd dead 9 8   
/at]oom4 ,i nev] saw him alive aft] ,i  
ov]he>d t talk4  ,x 0 "s mom5ts be=e %e 
_h calm$ h]self s t %e c\ld g on4 ,y "k 
our p1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 %e resum$1 *ok+
 back h] sobs4 ,"s said 8 dead body 0 l 
,jonah1 & ought to be ?r[n (f to ! sea4 

,!n o!rs didn't ev5 want to h x t\*$1   
said t x ought to be embalm$4 ,& o!rs   
didn't want t1 ei!r4  ,:at d y mean8 ,:o
 7 !y8  ,oh1 !re 0 "o man1--,ca/9e1 %e  
repli$1 hesitat+ ov] ! "n1 z ?\gh afraid
 ev5 to m5tion x4  ,he want$ x ?r[n     
ov]bo>d8 prompt$ ,craig4  ,n--no1 he    
didn't want t1 ei!r1 %e repli$4 ,he urg$
 !m n to t\* x--j to leave x alone4  ,%e
 0 v mu* fright5$1 evid5tly at h] own   
tem]ity 9 com+ to ,craig & say+ s mu*4  
,yet some?+ seem$ to impel h] to g on4  
,oh1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 %e exclaim$ 9 a  
sudd5 bur/ ( r5ew$ feel+1 don't y       
und]/&8 ,i--,i lov$ him--ev5 aft] ,i    
f\nd out ab\t ! money & :at he int5d$ to
 d ) x4 ,i c\ld n see 8 de> body ?r[n 9 
! ocean4  ,%e %iv]$ all ov] at ! ?\ght1 
& x 0 "s "t be=e %e said any?+ m4 ,b    
,k5n$y let h] d z %e pleas$1 z he (t5   
did :5 deep emotion 0 wr++ ! secrets f  
p's he>ts4  ,he is dead6 %e sobb$       
wildly4 ,0 he poison$8 ,oh1 c't y f9d   
out8 ,c't y help me8  ,sudd5ly h] voice 
9 wild appeal sank almo/ to a ho>se     

:isp]4 ,y mu/ n let anybody "k t ,i came
 to y1 %e implor$4  ,:y n8  ,oh--,i--,i 
am j afraid--t's all4  ,!re 0 real fe> 9
 h] tone & face n[1 fe> = h]self4  ,:]e 
is ! body8 ask$ ,k5n$y1 to get h] m9d (f
 :atev] hung l an incubus ov] x4  ,d[n  
on ! ,hayti51 at ! pi]1 ov] 9 ,brooklyn1
 /ill1 %e repli$4 ,!y kept u all int]n$ 
!re4 ,b my gu>dian _h en\gh influ5ce to 
get (f = a "t & :ile he is arrang+ =    
qu>t]s = our /ay aft] we are releas$1 ,i
 slipp$ away to see y4  ,y mu/ g back to
 ! boat8  ,oh1 yes4 ,we agre$ to g back4
  ,!n ,i %all be d[n imm$iately1 ,craig 
promis$4 ,if y w g ahead1 ,i w see y    
!re4 ,p]haps1 at fir/ y _h bett] n      
recognize me4 ,i w contrive "s way to   
meet y4 ,!n !y w n "k4  ,?ank y1 %e     
murmur$1 z %e rose to g1 n[ 9 d\bt :e!r 
%e _h done ! be/ ?+ to come to ,craig1  
n[ glad t %e _h "s outside assi/ance 9  
:i* %e c\ld tru/4  ,he accompani$ h] to 
! door1 bidd+ h] keep up h] c\rage1 !n  
clos$ x1 wait+ until h] foot/eps d[n !  
hall _h di$ away4  ,!n he op5$ our door 

& caught sight ( ,burke's face4  ,t's   
/range1 ,burke1 he began1 be=e he       
realiz$ :at ! expression on 8 face      
meant4 ,!re's a woman--:at8 ,y don't    
mean to tell me t y knew h]8  ,:y1 yes1 
ha/5$ ,burke4 ,!re 0 a ri* old plant]1  
,h5ri ,aux ,cayes1 abo>d1 too4 ,%e's 8  
w>d1 ,mademoiselle ,collette4  ,t's "r1 
nodd$ ,craig 9 surprise4  ,%e's ! woman 
,i 0 tell+ y ab\t4 ,%e may be a little  
d>k1 b %e's a beauty1 all "r4 ,i he>d   
:at %e said4 ,no wond] %e 0 s frantic1  
!n4  ,:at d y "k ( ! bank]s1 ,=sy!      
,co48 ask$ ,craig4  ,=sy!  ,co48        
consid]$ ,burke4 ,well1 n mu*1 p]haps4  
,b = a long "t1 ,i believe1 !y've be5 ! 
bank]s & promot]s ( defunct ,c>ibbean   
isl&s1 reap+ a ri* h>ve/ out ( ! tr\bles
 ( ^? decrepit gov]nm5ts1 play+ "o aga9/
 ! o!r4  ,h-m1 mus$ ,k5n$y4 ,c y g ov]  
to ,brooklyn ) me n[8  ,( c\rse1 agre$  
,burke1 bright5+ up4 ,t 0 :at ,i hop$   
y'd d4  ,k5n$y & ,i 7 j ab\t to leave ! 
laboratory ) ,burke :5 an idea seem$ to 
occur to ,craig4 ,he excus$ himself &   

w5t back to a cab9et :]e ,i saw him     
place a little vial & a hypod]mic ne$le 
9 8 ve/ pocket4     ,,*apt] ,,xxxii  ,,!
 ,,fluorisc9e ,,te/   ,our trip ov] to !
 o!r bor\gh 0 unev5tful except = !      
toilsome "t we _h to get to ! docks :]e 
,s\? & ,c5tral ,am]ican %ips 7 moor$4   
,we bo>d$ ! ,hayti5 at la/ & ,burke l$ u
 along ! deck t[>d a cab94 ,i look$ ab\t
 curi\sly4 ,!re seem$ to be ! greate/   
air ( suppress$ excitem5t4 ,ev]yone 0   
talk+1 9 ,fr5*1 too1 :i* seem$ /range to
 me 9 p ( _! color4 ,yet ev]y?+ seem$ to
 be 9 :isp]s z if !y 7 9 fe>4  ,we ent]$
 ! cab9 aft] our guide4 ,!re 9 ! dim    
light lay ! body ( ,leon 9 a bunk4 ,!re 
7 sev]al p 9 ! room1 already1 among !m !
 beautiful ,mademoiselle ,collette4 ,%e 
pret5d$ n to recognize ,k5n$y until we 7
 introduc$1 b ,i fanci$ ,i saw h] />t at
 f9d+ him 9 company ) ,burke4 ,yet %e   
did n exhibit any?+ m ?an surprise1 :i* 
0 q natural4  ,burke turn$ ! %eet d[n f 
! face ( ! figure 9 ! bunk4 ,leon _h be5
 a f9e-look+ specim5 ( 8 race1 ) good   

features1 /rong1 & well groom$4 ,k5n$y  
b5t ov] & exam9$ ! body c>efully4  ,a v 
/range case1 rem>k$ ! %ip's surgeon1 :om
 ,burke beckon$ ov] a mom5t lat]4  ,q1  
agre$ ,craig abs5tly1 z he drew ! vial &
 ! hypod]mic f 8 pocket1 dipp$ ! ne$le 9
 & %ot a dose ( ! /uff into ! side ( !  
body4  ,i c't f9d out t !re is any      
def9ite cause ( dea?1 resum$ ! surgeon4 
,be=e ,craig c\ld reply someone else    
ent]$ ! d>k5$ cab94 ,we turn$ & saw     
,collette run ov] to him & take 8 h&4   
,my gu>dian1 ,monsieur ,aux ,cayes1 %e  
introduc$1 !n turn$ to him ) a voluble  
explanation ( some?+ 9 ,fr5*4  ,aux     
,cayes 0 a r di/+ui%$ look+ ,haytian1   
d>k] ?an ,collette1 b evid5tly ( ! bett]
 class & "o :o comm&$ respect among !   
natives4  ,x is q extraord9>y1 he said )
 a m>k$ acc5t1 tak+ up ! surgeon's      
rem>k4 ,z = ^! p-- he ?rew out 8 h&s 9 a
 deprecat+ ge/ure--"o _c blame !m = be+ 
p]plex$ :5 y\r doctors disagree4  ,k5n$y
 _h cov]$ up ,leon's face aga9 &        
,collette 0 cry+ s(tly4  ,don't1 my de> 

*ild1 soo!d ,aux ,cayes1 patt+ h] %\ld] 
g5tly4 ,please1 try to calm ?yself4  ,x 
0 evid5t t he ador$ 8 beautiful w>d &   
w\ld h done any?+ to relieve h] grief4  
,k5n$y evid5tly ?\ght x be/ to leave !  
two toge!r1 z ,aux ,cayes cont9u$ to    
talk to h] 9 dim9utives & famili>       
phrases f ! ,fr5*4  ,7 !re any o!r p on 
! boat :o might be wor? wat*+8 he ask$ z
 we rejo9$ ,burke1 :o 0 look+ ab\t at ! 
gap+ cr[d4  ,burke indicat$ a gr\p4     
,well1 !re 0 an old man1 ,ca/9e1 & !    
woman he calls 8 wife1 he repli$4 ,!y 7 
! ones :o really kept ! re/ f ?r[+ !    
body ov]bo>d4  ,oh1 yes1 ass5t$ ,k5n$y4 
,%e told me ab\t !m4 ,are !y "h n[8     
,burke mov$ ov] to ! gr\p & beckon$     
someone aside t[>d u4 ,ca/9e 0 an old   
man ) gray hair1 & a be>d :i* gave him q
 an appe>ance ( wisdom1 besides be+ a   
matt] ( di/9ction among ^? :o 7         
be>dless4 ,) him 0 ,madame ,ca/9e1 mu*  
y\ng] & n unattractive = a negress4  ,y 
knew ,monsieur ,leon well8 ask$ ,k5n$y4 
,we knew him 9 ,port au ,pr9ce1 l       

ev]ybody1 repli$ ,ca/9e1 )\t committ+   
himself to undue famili>ity4  ,d y "k ( 
any enemies ( 8 on ! boat8 cut 9 ,burke4
 ,y 7 pres5t :5 !y 7 dem&+ t 8 body be  
?r[n ov]1 7 y n8 ,:o 0 =emo/ 9 t8       
,ca/9e %rugg$ 8 %\ld]s 9 a deprecatory  
mann]4 ,i d n speak ,engli% v well1 he  
repli$4 ,x 0 only ^? :o fe> ! dead4     
,!re 0 evid5tly no?+ to be ga9$ by try+ 
on him any ( ,burke's ?ird degree       
me?ods4 ,he _h always t refuge t he did 
n und]/& v well4  ,i turn$ & saw t      
,collette & ,aux ,cayes _h come out ( ! 
cab9 to ! deck toge!r1 he hold+ h] arm  
:ile %e dabb$ ! te>s away f h] wond]ful 
eyes4  ,at ! sight ( u talk+ to ,ca/9e &
 ! o!r woman1 %e seem$ to cat* h] brea?4
 ,%e did n speak to u1 b ,i saw ! two   
wom5 ex*ange a glance ( appraisal1 & ,i 
det]m9$ t ,madame ,ca/9e 0 at lea/ wor? 
obs]v+4  ,by ! attitude ( ! gr\p f :i*  
we _h drawn !m1 ,ca/9e1 x seem$1 ex]cis$
 "s k9d ( influ5ce ov] all1 ri* & poor1 
revolutioni/ & gov]nm5t support]4  ,!   
appe>ance ( ,collette occasion$ a buzz (

 conv]sation & glances1 & x 0 only a    
mom5t be=e %e retreat$ into ! cab9 aga94
 ,app>5tly %e did n wi% to lose any?+1 z
 long z ,k5n$y & ,burke 7 ab\t4  ,k5n$y 
did n seem to be s mu* int]e/$ 9 quizz+ 
,ca/9e j yet1 n[ t he _h se5 him1 z he 0
 9 pass+ ! "t pr(itably = a few m9utes4 
,he look$ at 8 wat*1 snapp$ x back into 
8 pocket1 & walk$ delib]ately into !    
cab9 aga94  ,!re he drew back ! cov] ov]
 ,leon's face1 b5t ov] x1 rais$ ! lids (
 ! eyes1 & gaz$ into !m4  ,collette1 :o 
_h be5 /&+ ne> him1 wat*+ e motion1 drew
 back ) an exclamation ( horror &       
surprise4  ,! voodoo sign is on him6 %e 
cri$4 ,x mu/ be t6  ,almo/ 9 panic %e   
fl$1 dragg+ h] gu>dian ) h]4  ,i1 too1  
look$4 ,! man's eyes 7 actually gre51   
n[4 ,:at did x mean8  ,burke1 rem>k$    
,k5n$y decisively1 ,i %all take !       
responsibility ( hav+ ! body transf]r$  
to my laboratory :]e ,i c obs]ve x4     
,i'll leave y to att5d to ! =malities ) 
! coron]4 ,!n ,i want y to get 9 t\* )  
,=sy!  ,co4 ,wat* !m )\t lett+ !m "k y  

are do+ s--& wat* _! visitors1          
p>ticul>ly4  ,a private ambulance 0     
call$ &1 ) mu* wagg+ ( heads & tongues1 
! body ( ,leon 0 c>ri$ on a /ret*]1     
cov]$ by a %eet1 d[n ! gangplank & plac$
 9 x4 ,we foll[$ closely 9 a taxicab1   
across ! bridge & upt[n4  ,= "s days1 ,i
 may say1 ,k5n$y _h be5 at "w 9 8       
laboratory 9 a little ant]oom1 :]e he 0 
in/all+ "s new app>atus = :i* he _h     
receiv$ an appropriation f ! tru/ees ( !
 ,univ]sity4  ,x 0 a v complicat$       
affair1 "o "p ( :i* seem$ to be a       
v]itable room )9 ! room4 ,into ?is      
*amb]1 z x 71 he n[ direct$ ! m5 to c>ry
 ,leon's body & lay x on a sort ( b$ or 
pallet t 0 let d[n f ! side wall ( !    
comp>tm5t4  ,i _h be5 q my/ifi$ by !    
app>atus :i* ,k5n$y _h set up1 b _h _h  
no opportunity to discuss x ) him & he  
_h be5 s busy in/all+ x t he _h n tak5  
"t1 (t51 = meals4 ,9 fact1 ! only way ,i
 knew t he _h f9i%$ 0 t :5 ,burke _h    
call$ he _h seem$ int]e/$ 9 ! call4     
,outside ! small *amb] ,i h spok5 (1 9 !

 room itself1 7 sev]al l>ge pieces (    
ma*9]y1 huge cyl9d]s ) :eels & belts1   
run by electric motors4 ,no soon] _h !  
body be5 plac$ 9 ! little *amb] & ! door
 c>efully clos$ ?an ,k5n$y ?rew a swit*1
 sett+ ! app>atus 9 motion4  ,h[ c\ld   
,leon h be5 kill$8 ,i ask$1 z he rejo9$ 
me 9 ! outside laboratory4 ,:at did     
,collette mean by h] fright5$ cry ( !   
'voodoo sign'8  ,! incid5t _h made a    
m>k$ impression on me & ,i _h be5 unable
 q to arrive at any s5sible explanation4
  ,( c\rse1 y "k t voodoo means lit]ally
 any?+ t inspires fe>1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y    
aft] a mom5t's ?\ght4 ,! god ( voodoo is
 ! snake4 ,i _c say n[ :at x 0 t %e     
fe>$4 ,b to see ! eyeballs turn gre5 is 
uncanny1 isn't x8  ,i %\ld say s1 ,i    
agre$4 ,b is t all8  ,he %ook 8 head4   
,no1 ,i don't believe x is4 ,hayti is ! 
hotb$ ( voodoo wor%ip4 ,! cult has      
inaugurat$ a sort ( prie/hood--(t5 a    
prie/ & a prie/ess1 call$ 'papaloi' &   
'mammaloi'--papa & mamma1 probably ) a  
corruption ( ! ,fr5* ^w1 'roi1' k+4 ,!y 

are1 z x 71 heads ( ! community1 fa!r & 
"m1 k+ & que54 ,"s ( ! lead+ m5 ( !     
communities 9 ! isl&s ( ! ,c>ibbean are 
secret voodoi/s & lead]s4 ,j :at is go+ 
on "u ! surface 9 ?is case1 ,i _c ev5   
haz>d a guess4 ,b !re is "s deviltry    
afoot4  ,j !n ! telephone rang & ,craig 
answ]$ x4  ,x 0 f ,burke1 he said z he  
hung up ! receiv]4 ,confid5tial ag5ts ( 
8 h be5 ab\t4 ,no "o f ! %ip seems to h 
be5 d[n to see ,=sy!1 b ,=sy! has _h p  
ov] at ! %ip4 ,burke says someone is    
s5d+ (f great bun*es ( messages to      
,hayti--he ?9ks ! p[]ful wireless       
app>atus ( ! ,hayti5 is be+ us$4  ,= a  
mom5t ,k5n$y /ood 9 ! c5t] ( !          
laboratory1 ?9k+4 ,!n he appe>$ to make 
up 8 m9d to some?+4  ,has t taxicab     
gone8 he ask$1 op5+ a cab9et f :i* he   
took sev]al packages4  ,i look$ out ( ! 
w9d[4 ,! ambulance _h gone back1 b !    
driv] ( ! c> _h evid5tly wait$ to call  
up 8 (fice = in/ructions4 ,i beckon$ to 
him1 & toge!r ,k5n$y & ,i plac$ !       
packages 9 ! c>4  ,?us we 7 able quickly

 to get back aga9 to ! :>f :]e ! ,hayti5
 0 b]!d4 ,in/ead ( go+ abo>d aga91      
h[ev]1 ,k5n$y /opp$ j outside1 :]e he 0 
n obs]v$ & got out ( ! c>1 dismiss+ x4  
,9 ! (fice ( ! /eam%ip company1 he s\ght
 "o ( ! employes & h&$ him a c>d1       
expla9+ t we 7 aid+ ,burke 9 ! case4 ,! 
result ( ! p>ley 0 t ,k5n$y succe$$ 9   
gett+ to ! ro( ( ! cov]$ pi] on !       
opposite side f t :]e ! %ip lay4  ,!re  
he set to "w on a /range app>atus1 wires
 f :i* ran up to a flag pole on :i* he 0
 con/ruct+ :at look$ l a ha/ily         
improvis$ wireless a]ial4 ,t "p arrang$1
 ,k5n$y foll[$ 8 wires d[n aga9 & took  
!m 9 by a w9d[ to a sort ( lumb]-room   
back ( ! (fice4 ,outside ev]yone 0 too  
busy to wat* :at we 7 do+ !re & ,craig  
c\ld "w un9t]rupt$4  ,:at are y do+8 ,i 
ask$4 ,in/all+ a wireless plant8  ,n q1 
he smil$ quietly4 ,?is is a home-made   
wireless photo-record+ set4 ,( c\rse1   
wireless a]ials ( amateurs don't hum any
 m s9ce w> has caus$ ! /rict c5sor%ip ( 
all wireless4 ,b !re is no reason :y "o 

c't receive messages1 ev5 if !y c't be  
s5t by ev]ybody4  ,?is is a fairly easy 
& inexp5sive means by :i* automatic     
records c be tak54 ,x involves no       
delicate in/rum5ts & ! pr9cipal "p ( x c
 be made 9 a few h\rs f mat]ials t ,i h 
9 my laboratory4 ,! basis is ! capill>y 
electromet]4  ,s\nds v simple1 ,i       
volunte]$1 try+ n to be s>ca/ic4  ,well1
 "h x is1 he indicat$1 t\*+ :at look$ l 
an ord9>y s(t glass tube ( p]haps a     
qu>t] ( an in* diamet]1 b5t ,u-%ap$1 )  
"o limb %ort] ?an ! o!r4  ,x is fill$   
ne>ly to ! top ( ! %ort] limb )         
*emically pure m]cury1 he w5t on4 ,on ! 
top ( x1 ,i h p\r$ a little tw5ty p] c5t
 sulphuric acid4 ,dipp+ into ! acid is a
 small piece ( capill>y tube drawn out  
to a v f9e po9t at ! l[] end4  ,he fill$
 ! little tube ) m]cury also4 ,! po9t ( 
?is1 he obs]v$1 is f9e en\gh to prev5t !
 m]cury runn+ ?r\gh ( its own           
weight--ab\t z f9e z a hair4  ,he dipp$ 
! po9t & held x 9 ! sulphuric acid &    
blew ?r\gh ! capill>y tube4 ,:5 ! m]cury

 bubbl$ ?r\gh ! po9t 9 m9ute drops1 he  
/opp$ bl[+4 ,x drew back = a %ort       
di/ance by capill>y attraction & ! acid 
foll[$ x up4  ,y c see t connections are
 made to ! m]cury 9 ! arm & ! tube by   
%ort pieces ( plat9um wire1 he cont9u$4 
,x isn't necess>y to g into ! !ory ( !  
in/rum5t4 ,b ! mo/ m9ute diff]5ce (     
pot5tial betwe5 ! two masses ( m]cury w 
cause ! f9e po9t at ! junction ( !      
liquids to move up & d[n4  ,connect$ to 
! a]ial & ! e>?1 ) a cry/al detector 9  
s]ies1 x is only a matt] ( apply+ an    
ord9>y photo-record+ drum1 & ! ma*9e is 
made4  ,he _h be5 sett+ up a light-tight
 box1 inside ( :i* 0 a little electric  
lamp4 ,opposite 0 a drum cov]$ ) bromide
 pap]4 ,he />t$ ! clockwork go+ & aft] a
 few mom5ts' c>eful obs]vation1 we w5t  
away1 & left ! ?+1 tru/+ t no "o 0 !    
wis]4  ,no?+ fur!r occurr$ t day1 except
 = frequ5t reports f ,burke1 :o told u  
h[ 8 m5 7 gett+ on 9 _! %ad[+ ( ,=sy!   
,co4 ,app>5tly1 ! dea? ( ,leon _h put a 
/op to revolution>y plots1 or at lea/ _h

 caus$ ! plott]s to *ange _! me?ods     
radically4  ,! "t 0 %ort5+1 too1 dur+   
:i* ,burke c\ld keep ! pass5g]s ( !     
,hayti5 "u su* close surveillance1 & x 0
 f9ally decid$ t on ! next morn+ !y %\ld
 be releas$1 :ile all ^? suspect$ 7 to  
be %ad[$ sep>ately by ,secret ,s]vice   
ag5ts1 9 ! hope t once free !y w\ld     
commit "s ov]t act t might lead to a    
clew4     ,,*apt] ,,xxxiii  ,,!         
,,respiration ,,calorimet]   ,x 0 e>ly !
 next morn+1 ab\t half an h\r aft] ! "t 
set = ! release ( ! pass5g]s1 t our     
laboratory door 0 flung op5 & ,collette 
,aux ,cayes ru%$ 91 wildly excit$4      
,:at's ! matt]8 ask$ ,k5n$y anxi\sly4   
,someone has be5 try+ to keep me on !   
boat1 %e pant$4 ,& all ! way ov] "h a   
man has be5 foll[+ me4  ,k5n$y look$ at 
h] a m9ute calmly4 ,we c\ld und]/& :y %e
 might h be5 %ad[$1 ?\gh x mu/ h be5 a  
bungl+ job ( ,burke's op]ative4 ,b :o   
c\ld h want$ h] kept on ! boat8  ,i     
don't "k1 %e repli$1 9 answ] to ,k5n$y's
 "q4 ,b someh[ ,i 0 ! only "o n told t  

we c\ld g4 ,& :5 ,i did g1 "o ( !       
,secret ,s]vice m5 /opp$ me4  ,are y    
sure x 0 a ,secret ,s]vice man8  ,he    
said he 04  ,yes1 b if he _h be51 he    
w\ld n h done t1 nor let y get away1 if 
he _h4 ,c't y imag9e anyone :o might    
want y deta9$ long]8  ,%e look$ at u1   
half fright5$4 ,n--n unless x is t      
man--or ! woman ) him1 %e repli$1 clasp+
 h] h&s4  ,y mean ,ca/9e8  ,yes1 %e     
repli$1 avoid+ ! use ( 8 "n4 ,ev] s9ce y
 _h ! body remov$1 he has be5 9 great   
fe>4 ,i h he>d him ask fifty times1     
',:]e h !y tak5 him8' & ',is he to be   
embalm$8'  ,t's /range1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y4  
,:y t anxiety f him8 ,i rememb] t x 0 he
 :o want$ ! body left alone4 ,is x = fe>
 t we might discov] some?+ :i* might be 
cov]$ up8  ,k5n$y disappe>$ into !      
ant]oom & ,i he>d him mak+ a great fuss 
z he regulat$ ! v>i\s pieces ( ma*9]y t 
surr\nd$ ! little *amb]4  ,"s m9utes    
lat]1 he em]g$4  ,meet u "h 9 an h\r1 he
 direct$ ,collette1 ) y\r gu>dian4      
,quickly ,craig telephon$ = a tank (    

oxyg5 to be s5t ov] to ! laboratory1 !n 
got ,burke on ! wire & ask$ him to meet 
u d[n at ! dock4  ,we arriv$ fir/ &     
,craig hurri$ into ! lumb]-room1 :]e    
=tunately he f\nd ev]y?+ undi/urb$4 ,he 
tore (f ! /rip ( pap] f ! drum & held x 
up4 ,on x 0 a s]ies ( m>ks1 :i* look$ l 
dots & da%es1 ( a peculi> k9d1 along a  
sort ( base l9e4 ,c>efully he ran 8 eye 
ov] ! /rip4 ,!n he %ov$ x into 8 pocket 
9 great excitem5t4  ,hello1 greet$      
,burke1 z he came up puff+ f ! hurri$   
trip ov] f ! ,cu/oms ,h\se1 :]e 8 (fice 
04 ,:at's do+ n[8  ,a great deal1 ,i    
?9k1 return$ ,k5n$y4 ,c y locate ,ca/9e 
& t woman & come up to ! laboratory--"r 
away8  ,i c put my f+] on !m 9 five     
m9utes & be !re 9 half an h\r1 he       
return$1 n paus+ to inquire fur!r1 =1 l 
me1 ,burke _h le>n$ t ,k5n$y c\ld n be  
hurri$ 9 any ( 8 revelations4  ,toge!r1 
,craig & ,i return$ to ! laboratory to  
f9d t ,collette ,aux ,cayes 0 already   
!re ) h] gu>dian1 z solicit\s z ev] = h]
 com=t & brea?+ fire & slaught] aga9/ ! 

miscreants :o _h tri$ to deta9 h]1 )\t 8
 k4  ,"s m9utes lat] ,ca/9e & ,madame   
,ca/9e arriv$4 ,at sight ( ,collette %e 
seem$ bo? defiant & re/less1 z ?\gh s5s+
 tr\ble1 ,i ?\ght4 ,few words 7 spok5 n[
 by anyone1 z ,burke & ,i complet$ !    
p>ty4  ,w y be s k9d z to /ep into !    
little ant]oom ) me8 invit$ ,craig1     
hold+ op5 ! door = u4  ,we ent]$ & he   
foll[$2 !n1 z he l$ ! way1 /opp$ be=e a 
little glass w9d[ 9 ! comp>tm5t :i* ,i h
 describ$4 ,collette 0 next to me4 ,i   
c\ld feel ! t5s5ess ( h] s5ses z %e gaz$
 ?r\gh ! w9d[ at ! body on ! %elf-l     
pallet inside4  ,:at is ?is ?+8 ask$    
,aux ,cayes1 z ,collette drew back1 & he
 caught h] by ! arm4  ,= ! mom5t ,k5n$y 
said no?+1 b op5$ a c>efully seal$ door 
& slid ! pallet out1 unh++ x1 :ile ,i   
saw ,ca/9e trembl+ & actually turn+ a%5 
ab\t ! lips4  ,?is1 ,k5n$y repli$ at    
l5g?1 is :at is kn[n z a respiration    
calorimet]1 :i* ,i h _h con/ruct$ aft] !
 ideas ( ,pr(essors ,atwat] & ,b5$ict ( 
,wesleyan1 ) "s improvem5ts ( my own4 ,x

 is us$1 z y may "k1 9 /udy+ food       
values1 bo? by ! gov]nm5t & by o!r      
inve/igators4 ,a man c\ld live 9 t room 
= t5 or twelve days4 ,my idea1 h[ev]1 0 
to make use ( x = o!r ?+s ?an t = :i* x 
0 int5d$4  ,he took a few /eps ov] to ! 
complicat$ app>atus :i* _h s my/ifi$ me1
 n[ at re/1 z he turn$ a swit* on op5+ !
 c>efully seal$ door4  ,x is :at is kn[n
 z a clos$ circuit calorimet]1 he w5t   
on4 ,= in/ance1 ?r\gh ?is tube air      
leaves ! *amb]4 ,"h is a bl[]4 ,at ?is  
po9t1 ! wat] 9 ! air is absorb$ by      
sulphuric acid4 ,next ! c>bon dioxide is
 absorb$ by soda lime4 ,"h a little     
oxyg5 is introduc$ to keep ! composition
 normal & at ?is po9t ! air is return$  
to ! *amb]4  ,he trac$ ! circuit z he   
spoke1 !n paus$ & rem>k$1 ,?us1 y see1 x
 is possible to measure ! c>bon dioxide 
& ! o!r respiration products4 ,z = heat1
 ! walls are con/ruct$ s t ! ga9 or loss
 ( heat 9 ! *amb] is prev5t$4 ,heat _c  
escape 9 any o!r way ?an t provid$ =    
c>ry+ x (f & measur+ x4 ,any heat is    

collect$ by ?is /ream ( wat] :i* keeps !
 temp]ature con/ant & 9 t way we c      
measure any en]gy t is giv5 (f4 ,! walls
 are ( conc5tric %ells ( copp] & z9c )  
two ( wood1 betwe5 :i* is 'dead air1' an
 effective heat insulator4 ,9 o!r words1
 he conclud$1 x is l a huge !rmos       
bottle4  ,x 0 all v weird & fasc9at+4 ,b
 :at he c\ld h be5 do+ ) a dead body1 ,i
 c\ld n imag9e4 ,0 !re "s subtle1 unkn[n
 poison :i* _h hi!rto baffl$ sci5ce1 b  
:i* n[ he 0 ab\t to reveal to u8  ,he   
seem$ to be 9 no hurry to ov]come !     
psy*ological effect 8 words _h on 8     
auditors1 = z he pick$ up & glanc$ at a 
numb] ( %eets ( figures1 he w5t on3 ,9 !
 case ( live p]sons1 !re is a food      
ap]ture "h1 a little w9d[ ) air locks   
arrang$ = ! passage ( food & dr9k4 ,t   
l>ge w9d[ ?r\gh :i* y look$ admits      
light4 ,!re is also a telephone4 ,ev]y?+
 is arrang$ s t all t ent]s1 no matt] h[
 m9ute1 is weigh$ & measur$4 ,! same is 
true ( all t leaves4 ,no?+ is too small 
to take into acc\nt4  ,he %ook ! %eaf ( 

pap]s be=e u4 ,"h ,i h "s records :i* h 
be5 made by myself1 &1 9 my abs5ce1 by  
"o ( my /ud5ts4 ,9 !m ! mo/ surpris+ ?+ 
t ,i h discov]$ is t 9 ! body ( ,leon   
metabolism seems /ill to be go+ on4  ,i 
li/5$ to him 9 utt] amazem5t1 wond]+    
t[>d :at 8 argum5t 0 t5d+4  ,i got my   
fir/ clew f an injection ( fluorisc9e1  
he resum$4 ,y "k !re are _m p :o h a    
horror ( be+ buri$ alive4 ,x is a       
favorite !me ( ! creepy-creep writ]s4 ,z
 y "k1 ! he>t may /op beat+1 b t does n 
necess>ily mean t ! p]son is dead4 ,!re 
are on record innum]able cases :]e ! use
 ( /imulants has />t$ aga9 ! beat+ ( a  
he>t t has /opp$4  ,/ill1 burial alive  
is h>dly likely among civiliz$ p1 = !   
simple reason t ! practice ( embalm+    
makes dea? practically c]ta94 ,at once1 
:5 ,i he>d t !re _h be5 objections to ! 
embalm+ ( ?is body1 ,i began to wond] :y
 !y _h be5 made4  ,!n x occurr$ to me t 
"o c]ta9 pro( ( dea? 0 ! absolute       
cessation ( circulation4 ,y may n "k1 b 
sci5ti/s h devis$ ?is fluorisc9e te/ to 

take advantage ( t4 ,i inject$ ab\t t5  
gra9s4 ,if !re is any circulation1 !re  
%\ld be an em]ald gre5 discoloration ( !
 cornea ( ! eye4 ,if n1 ! eye %\ld rema9
 p]fectly :ite4  ,i tri$ ! te/4 ,! gre5 
eye-ball gave me a h9t4 ,!n ,i decid$ to
 make sure ) a respiration calorimet] t 
w\ld measure :atev] heat1 :at brea?1 no 
matt] h[ m9ute !y 74  ,collette gave a  
/>t z %e began to realize vaguely :at   
,craig 0 driv+ at4  ,x 0 n ! voodoo     
sign1 ,mademoiselle1 he said1 turn+ to  
h]4 ,x 0 a sign1 h[ev]1 ( some?+ t      
sugge/$ at once to me ! connection (    
voodoo practices4  ,!re 0 some?+ s      
uncanny ab\t x t my own he>t almo/      
skipp$ beat+1 :ile ,burke1 by my o!r    
side1 mutt]$ some?+ :i* 0 n meant to be 
pr(ane4  ,collette 0 n[ trembl+ viol5tly
 & ,i took h] arm s t if %e %\ld fa9t %e
 w\ld n fall ei!r on my side or on t (  
h] gu>dian1 :o seem$ himself on ! v]ge (
 keel+ ov]4 ,ca/9e 0 mumbl+4 ,only 8    
wife seem$ to reta9 h] defiance4  ,!    
skill ( ! voodoo prie/s 9 ! concoction (

 /range draughts f ! native h]bs (      
,hayti is well kn[n1 ,k5n$y began aga94 
,!re are among !m fa/ & sl[ poisons1    
poisons t w kill almo/ in/antly & o!rs t
 are guag$ 9 /r5g? to accumulate &      
resemble wa/+ away & sl[ dea?4  ,i "k t 
9 all su* communities today no "o w     
admit t !re is su* a ?+ /ill z ! human  
sacrifice1 '! lamb )\t horns4' ,b !re is
 on record a case :]e a s]vant 0 suppos$
 to h di$4 ,! ma/] ord]$ ! burial1 & x  
took place4 ,b ! grave 0 robb$4 ,lat] ! 
victim 0 resuscitat$ & sacrific$4  ,mo/ 
uncanny ( ! poisons is t :i* w cause !  
victim to pass into an unconsci\s       
condition s pr(\nd t x may easily be    
mi/ak5 = dea?4 ,x is almo/ cataleptic4  
,su* is ! case "h4 ,my respiration      
calorimet] %[s t f t body !re are /ill  
com+ ! products ( respiration1 t !re is 
/ill heat 9 x4 ,x mu/ h be5 t peculi>   
poison ( ! voodoo prie/s t 0 us$4  ,rac+
 on n[1 n giv+ any ( u a *ance ev5 to   
?9k ( ! weird ?+1 except to %udd]       
in/9ctively1 ,k5n$y drew f 8 pocket &   

slapp$ d[n on a table ! photographic    
records t _h be5 tak5 by 8 home-made    
wireless record+ app>atus4  ,f ,mr4     
,burke1 he said1 z he did s1 ,i receiv$ 
! h9t t _m messages 7 be+ transmitt$ by 
wireless1 secretly p]haps1 f ! ,hayti54 
,i want$ to read ^? messages t 7 be+    
fla%$ s quietly & secretly ?r\gh ! air4 
,h[ c\ld x be done8 ,i manag$ to in/all 
d[n at ! dock an app>atus kn[n z !      
capill>y electromet]4 ,by ! use ( ?is   
almo/ unimag9ably delicate in/rum5t ,i 0
 able to drag d[n lit]ally out ( ! air !
 secrets t seem$ s well hidd5 f all     
except ^? = :om !y 7 int5d$4 ,li/54  ,he
 took ! roll ( pap] f ! drum & ran 8 f+]
 along x ha/ily1 translat+ to himself ! 
,morse code z he pass$ f "o po9t to     
ano!r4  ,"h1 cri$ ,craig excit$ly4      
',leon out ( way = "t safely4           
,revolution suppress$ be=e ,=sy! c make 
o!r arrangem5ts4 ,conspiracy fru/rat$4' 
,j a mom5t4 ,"h's ano!r4 ',h engag$     
bridal suite at ,hotel ,la ,co/e4       
,communicate ) me !re aft] tomorr[4'    

,/ill hold+ ! wireless record1 ,k5n$y   
swung ab\t to ,burke & myself4 ,burke1  
/& ov] by ! door1 he %\t$4 ,walt]--t    
tank ( oxyg51 please4  ,i dragg$ ov] !  
heavy tank :i* he _h ord]$ z he adju/$ a
 sort ( pulmotor brea?+ app>atus ov]    
,leon4 ,!n ,i dropp$ back to my place   
beside ,collette1 z ! oxyg5 hiss$ out4  
,ca/9e 0 n[ on 8 knees1 8 ag$ arms      
out/ret*$4  ,be=e ,god1 ,mr4 ,k5n$y--,i 
didn't d x4 ,i didn't give ,leon !      
poison6  ,k5n$y1 h[ev]1 engross$ 9 :at  
he 0 do+1 paid no att5tion to ! appeal4 
,sudd5ly ,i saw :at might h be5 a fa9t  
tremor ( an eyelid on ! pallid body be=e
 u4  ,i felt ,collette spr+ =w>d f my   
side4  ,he lives6 ,he lives6 %e cri$1   
fall+ on h] knees be=e ! /ill cataleptic
 =m4 ,guillaume6  ,!re 0 j a fa9t       
movem5t ( ! lips1 z ?\gh z ! man came   
back f ano!r _w he w\ld h call$1        
,collette6  ,seize t man--x is 8 "n     
sign$ to ! wireless messages6 %\t$      
,k5n$y1 ext5d+ 8 accus+ =ef+] at ,aux   
,cayes1 :o _h plott$ s devili%ly to use 

8 voodoo k bo? to suppress ! revolution 
& at ! same "t to w9 8 beautiful w>d =  
himself f h] real lov]4     ,,*apt]     
,,xxxiv  ,,! ,,evil ,,eye   ,y don't "k 
! woman :o is caus+ ! tr\ble4 ,y hav5't 
se5 h] eyes4 ,b--,madre de ,dios6--my   
fa!r is a *ang$ man4 ,sometimes ,i ?9k  
he is--:at y call--mad6  ,our visitor   
spoke 9 a hurri$1 n]v\s tone1 ) a m>k$  
=eign acc5t :i* 0 n at all unpleas+4 ,%e
 0 a "y woman1 unmi/akably beautiful1 ( 
! d>k ,spani% type & app>5tly a ,s\?    
,am]ican4  ,i am ,s5orita ,inez de      
,m5doza ( ,lima1 ,p]u1 %e introduc$     
h]self1 z %e lean$ =w>d 9 h] *air 9 a   
high /ate ( ov]wr\ght excitem5t4 ,we h  
be5 9 ?is c\ntry only a %ort "t--my fa!r
 & ,i1 ) 8 p>tn] 9 a m9+ v5ture1 ,mr4   
,lockwood4 ,s9ce ! hot wea!r came we h  
be5 /ay+ at ! ,bea* ,inn at ,atlantic   
,bea*4  ,%e paus$ a mom5t & hesitat$1 z 
?\gh 9 ?is /range l& ( ! nor? %e _h no  
idea ( :i* way to turn = help4  ,p]haps 
,i %\ld h gone to see a doctor ab\t him1
 %e consid]$1 d\btfully2 !n h] emotions 

got ! bett] ( h] & %e w5t on            
passionately1 b1 ,mr4 ,k5n$y x is n a   
case = a doctor4 ,x is a case = a       
detective--= someone :o is m ?an a      
detective4  ,%e spoke plead+ly n[1 9 a  
s(t musical voice t 0 f> m pleas+ to !  
e> ?an t ( ! usual ,spani%-,am]ican4 ,i 
_h he>d t ! wom5 ( ,lima 7 fam$ = _!    
beauty & melodi\s voices4 ,s5orita      
,m5doza surely upheld _! reputation4    
,!re 0 an appeal+ look 9 h] s(t br[n    
eyes & h] ?91 delicate lips trembl$ z %e
 hurri$ on ) h] /range /ory4  ,i nev]   
saw my fa!r 9 su* a /ate be=e1 %e       
murmur$4 ,all he talks ab\t is ! 'big   
fi%'--:atev] t may mean--& ! curse (    
,mansi*e4 ,at times 8 eyes are />+ wide 
op54 ,sometimes ,i ?9k he has a viol5t  
fev]4 ,he is excit$--& seems to be wa/+ 
away4 ,he seems to see /range visions & 
he> voices4 ,yet ,i ?9k he is worse :5  
he is quiet 9 a d>k room alone ?an :5 he
 is d[n 9 ! lobby ( ! hotel 9 ! mid/ ( !
 cr[d4  ,a sudd5 fla% ( fire seem$ to   
light up h] d>k eyes4 ,!re is a woman at

 ! hotel1 too1 %e w5t on1 a woman f     
,truxillo1 ,s5ora de ,mo*e4 ,ev] s9ce %e
 has be5 !re my fa!r has be5 gr[+ worse 
& worse4  ,:o is ?is ,s5ora de ,mo*e8   
ask$ ,k5n$y1 /udy+ ! ,s5orita z if %e 7 
"u a l5s4  ,a ,p]uvian ( an old ,indian 
family1 %e repli$4 ,%e has come to ,new 
,york ) h] son1 ,alfonso1 :o is /udy+ at
 ! ,univ]sity "h4 ,i knew him 9 ,p]u1 %e
 add$1 z if by way ( confession1 :5 he 0
 a /ud5t at ! ,univ]sity ( ,lima4  ,!re 
0 some?+ 9 bo? h] tone & h] mann] t w\ld
 lead "o to believe t %e bore no enmity 
t[>d ! son--inde$ q ! contr>y--:atev]   
might be h] feel+s t[>d ! "m ( de ,mo*e4
  ,k5n$y rea*$ = our univ]sity catalogue
 & f\nd ! "n1 ,alfonso de ,mo*e1 a      
po/-graduate /ud5t 9 ! ,s*ool (         
,eng9e]+1 & !re=e n 9 any ( ,k5n$y's own
 c\rses4 ,i c\ld see t ,craig 0 gr[+ m &
 m int]e/$4  ,& y ?9k1 he qu]i$1 t 9 "s 
way ?is woman is connect$ ) ! /range    
*ange t has tak5 place 9 y\r fa!r8  ,i  
don't "k1 %e temporiz$1 b ! tone ( h]   
answ] 0 suffici5t to convey ! impression

 t 9 h] he>t %e did suspect some?+1 %e  
knew n :at4  ,x's n a long run to       
,atlantic ,bea*1 consid]$ ,k5n$y4 ,i h  
"o or two ?+s t ,i mu/ f9i% up fir/1    
h[ev]4  ,!n y w come d[n tonight8 %e    
ask$1 z ,k5n$y rose & took ! little :ite
 silk glov$ h& :i* %e ext5d$4  ,tonight 
surely1 answ]$ ,craig1 hold+ ! door = h]
 to pass out4  ,well1 ,i said1 :5 we 7  
alone1 :at is x--a romance or a crime8  
,bo?1 ,i ?9k1 he repli$ ab/ract$ly1 tak+
 up ! exp]im5t :i* ! visit _h int]rupt$4
  ,i ?9k1 he rem>k$ late 9 ! aft]noon1 z
 he ?rew (f 8 acid-/a9$ smock1 t ,i w g 
ov] to ! ,univ]sity libr>y be=e x closes
 & refre% my m9d on "s ( ^? old ,p]uvian
 antiquities & traditions4 ,! big fi% or
 peje gr&e1 z ,i rememb] x1 0 ! "n giv5 
by ! natives to "o ( ! greate/ buri$    
treasures ab\t ! "t ( ,piz>ro's conque/4
 ,if ,i rememb] correctly1 ,mansi*e 0 ! 
great cacique1 or some?+ ( t sort--!    
rul] 9 nor!rn ,p]u at t "t4 ,he is said 
to h left a curse on any native :o ev]  
divulg$ ! :]eab\ts ( ! treasure & !     

curse 0 also to fall on any ,spani>d :o 
might discov] x4  ,= m ?an an h\r ,k5n$y
 delv$ into ! ar*eological lore 9 !     
libr>y4 ,!n he rejo9$ me at ! laboratory
 & aft] a ha/y bite ( d9n] we hurri$ d[n
 to ! /ation4  ,t ev5+ we /epp$ (f !    
tra9 at ,atlantic ,bea* to make our way 
to ! ,bea* ,inn4 ,! resort 0 j spr++    
into night life1 z ! millions (         
inc&esc5t lights flood$ x ) a radiance  
:i* we c\ld see reflect$ 9 ! sky long   
be=e our tra9 arriv$4 ,!re 0 some?+     
intoxicat+ ab\t ! comb9ation ( ! brac+  
salt air & ! gay ?rongs seek+ pleasure4 
,in/ead ( tak+ ! hotel 'bus1 ,k5n$y     
decid$ to /roll to ! inn along !        
bo>dwalk4 ,we 7 j ab\t to turn into !   
m9iature p>k :i* sep>at$ ! inn f ! walk 
:5 we notic$ a :eel *air com+ 9 our     
direction4 ,9 x 7 a "y man & a woman (  
well-pres]v$ middle age4 ,!y _h evid5tly
 be5 enjoy+ ! ocean breeze aft] d9n]1 & 
! s\nd ( music _h drawn !m back to !    
hotel4  ,we ent]$ ! lobby ( ! inn j z ! 
fir/ numb] ( ! ev5+ conc]t by ! or*e/ra 

0 f9i%+4 ,k5n$y /ood at ! desk = a mom5t
 :ile ,s5orita ,m5doza 0 be+ pag$1 & ran
 8 eye ov] ! brilliant sc5e4 ,9 a m9ute 
! boy return$ & l$ u ?r\gh ! maze (     
wick] *airs to an alcove j (f ! hall :i*
 lat] 9 ! ev5+ w\ld be turn$ into a     
ballroom4  ,on a wide settee1 ! ,s5orita
 0 talk+ ) animation to a tall1         
clean-cut "y man 9 ev5+ clo!s1 ^: face  
bore ! tan ( a sun mu* /rong] ?an t at  
,atlantic ,bea*4 ,he 0 unmi/akably ( !  
type ( ,am]ican soldi] ( =tune4 ,9 a    
deep rock] be=e !m sat a heavy-set man  
^: pi]c+ black eyes beetl$ =? f "u bu%y 
eyebr[s4 ,he 0 r di/+ui%$ look+1 & 8    
close-cropp$ hair & mu/a*e set him (f z 
a man ( affairs & consequ5ce 9 8 own    
c\ntry4  ,z we approa*$1 ,s5orita       
,m5doza rose quickly4 ,i wond]$ h[ %e 0 
go+ to get ov] ! awkw>d situation (     
introduc+ u1 = surely %e did n int5d to 
let h] fa!r "k t %e 0 employ+ a         
detective4 ,%e did x mo/ clev]ly1 ) a   
significant look at ,k5n$y :i* he       
und]/ood4  ,good-ev5+4 ,i am delight$ to

 see y1 %e greet$4 ,!n1 turn+ to h]     
fa!r1 %e introduc$ ,craig4 ,?is is      
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 %e expla9$1 :om ,i met
 at ! reception ( ! ,hispano-,am]ican   
,society4 ,y rememb] ,i told y he 0 s   
mu* int]e/$ 9 our ,p]uvian ru9s4  ,don  
,luis's eyes seem$ fairly to glitt] )   
excitem5t4 ,!y 7 prom95t eyes1 />+1 & ,i
 c\ld n help /udy+ !m4  ,!n1 ,s5or      
,k5n$y1 he exclaim$1 y "k ( our ru9s (  
,*an-,*an1 ( ,*ima--^? wond]ful         
places--& h he>d ! leg5d ( ! peje gr&e8 
,8 eyes1 by t "t1 7 almo/ />t+ f _!     
sockets1 & ,i notic$ t ! pupils 7 dilat$
 almo/ to ! size ( ! iris4 ,we mu/ sit  
d[n1 he w5t on1 & talk ab\t ,p]u4  ,!   
soldi] ( =tune also _h ris5 z we        
approa*$4 ,9 h] s(t musical voice1 !    
,s5orita n[ int]rupt$ h] fa!r4          
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 let me introduce y to 
,mr4 ,lockwood1 my fa!r's p>tn] 9 a m9+ 
project :i* br+s u to ,new ,york4  ,z   
,k5n$y & ,i %ook h&s ) ! "y m9+ eng9e]1 
,i felt t ,lockwood 0 some?+ m to h] ?an
 a m]e p>tn] 9 h] fa!r's m9+ v5ture4    

,we drew up *airs & jo9$ ! circle4      
,k5n$y said some?+ ab\t m9+ & ! v ^w m9e
 seem$ to excite ,s5or ,m5doza /ill     
fur!r4  ,y\r ,am]ican f9anci]s h lo/    
millions 9 m9+ 9 ,p]u1 he exclaim$      
excit$ly1 tak+ out a beautifully *as$   
gold cig>ette case1 b we are go+ to make
 m millions ?an !y ev] dream$ (1 because
 we are simply go+ to m9e = ! products (
 c5turies ( labor already done1 = !     
great treasure ( ,truxillo4  ,he op5$ ! 
cig>ette case & h&$ x ab\t4 ,! cig>ettes
 seem$ to be 8 own special br&4 ,we     
light$ up & puff$ away = a mom5t4 ,!re 0
 a peculi> ta/e ab\t !m1 h[ev]1 :i* ,i  
did n l4 ,9 fact1 ,i ?9k t !            
,lat9-,am]ican cig>ettes d n seem to    
appeal to an ,am]ican v mu*1 anyh[4  ,z 
we talk$1 ,i notic$ t ,k5n$y evid5tly   
%>$ my own ta/es1 = he all[$ 8 cig>ette 
to g out1 & aft] a puff or two ,i did ! 
same4 ,= ! sake ( my own com=t ,i drew  
out "o ( my own cig>ettes z soon z ,i   
c\ld d s politely4  ,we are n ! only    
ones :o h s\ght ! peje gr&e1 resum$     

,m5doza eag]ly1 b we are ! only ones :o 
are seek+ x 9 ! "r place1 &1 he add$1   
lean+ ov] ) a :isp]1 ,i am ! only "o :o 
has ! concession1 ! monopoly1 f !       
gov]nm5t to seek 9 :at we "k to be ! "r 
place4 ,o!rs h f\nd ! little fi%4 ,we   
%all f9d ! big fi%4  ,he _h rais$ 8     
voice f ! :isp] & ,i caught ! ,s5orita  
look+ anxi\sly at ,k5n$y1 z mu* z to    
say1 ,y see8 ,8 m9d is full ( only "o   
subject4  ,s5or ,m5doza's eyes _h w&]$ f
 u & he seem$ all ( a sudd5 to gr[ wild4
  ,we %all f9d x1 he cri$1 no matt] :at 
ob/acles man or devil put 9 our way4 ,x 
is ours--= a simple piece (             
eng9e]+--ours6 ,! curse ( ,mansi*e--p\f6
  ,he snapp$ 8 f+]s almo/ defiantly z he
 said x 9 a high-pit*$ voice4 ,!re 0 an 
air ( bravado ab\t x & ,i c\ld n help   
feel+ t p]haps 9 8 he>t he 0 n s sure ( 
himself z he w\ld h o!rs ?9k4 ,x 0 z    
?\gh "s diabolical =ce _h tak5          
possession ( 8 bra9 & he f\ght x (f4    
,k5n$y quickly foll[$ ! />+ glance (    
,m5doza4 ,out on ! broad v]&a1 by an op5

 w9d[ a few y>ds f u1 sat ! woman ( !   
:eel *air4 ,! "y man :o accompani$ h] _h
 8 back t[>d u = ! mom5t1 b %e 0 look+  
fix$ly 9 our direction1 pay+ no att5tion
 app>5tly to ! music4 ,%e 0 a l>ge      
woman1 ) d>k hair1 & contra/+ full r$   
lips4 ,h] face1 9 m>k$ contradiction to 
h] ,p>isian co/ume & ref9$ mann]s1 _h a 
slight copp] sw>?9ess ab\t x4  ,b x 0 h]
 eyes t arre/$ & held "o's att5tion4    
,:e!r x 0 9 ! eyes !mselves or 9 ! way t
 %e us$ !m1 !re c\ld be no mi/ake ab\t !
 hypnotic p[] t _! own] wield$4 ,%e saw 
u look+ at h]1 b x made no diff]5ce4 ,n 
= an in/ant did %e all[ our gaze to     
di/ract h] 9 ! projection ( _! weird p[]
 /raight at ,don ,luis himself4  ,don   
,luis1 on 8 "p1 seem$ fasc9at$4  ,he    
rose1 &1 = a mom5t1 ,i ?\ght t he 0 go+ 
ov] to speak to h]1 z if drawn by t     
intangible attraction :i* ,poe has s    
clev]ly express$ 9 8 ,imp ( ! ,p]v]se4  
,in/ead1 9 ! mid/ ( ! numb] :i* !       
or*e/ra 0 play+1 he turn$ &1 z ?\gh by a
 sup]human ef=t1 mov$ away among ! gue/s

 out into ! bright] lights & gayety ( ! 
lobby4  ,i glanc$ up 9 "t to see !      
anxi\s look on ! ,s5orita's face *ange  
mom5t>ily into a fla% ( hatr$ t[>d !    
woman 9 ! w9d[4  ,! "y man turn$ j ab\t 
t "t1 & !re 0 no mi/ak+ ! ard5t glance  
he direct$ t[>d ! fair ,p]uvian4 ,i     
fanci$ t h] face s(t5$ a bit1 too4  ,%e 
resum$ h] normal composure z %e said to 
,lockwood1 ,y w excuse me1 ,i "k4 ,fa!r 
is tir$ ( ! music4 ,i ?9k ,i w take him 
= a turn d[n ! bo>dwalk4 ,if y c jo9 u 9
 our rooms 9 an h\r or s1 may we see y6 
%e ask$1 ) ano!r significant glance at  
,k5n$y4  ,craig _h b>ely "t to reply t  
we %\ld be delight$ be=e %e 0 gone4     
,evid5tly %e did n d>e let h] fa!r get v
 f> out ( h] sight4  ,we sat = a few    
mom5ts smok+ & *att+ ) ,lockwood4  ,:at 
is ! curse ( ,mansi*e8 ask$ ,k5n$y at   
l5g?4  ,oh1 ,i don't "k1 return$        
,lockwood1 impati5tly flick+ ! a%es f 8 
cig>1 z ?\gh su* /ories _h no int]e/ = !
 practical m9d ( an eng9e]4 ,"s old     
sup]/ition4 ,i don't "k mu* ab\t ! /ory2

 b ,i d "k t !re is treasure 9 t great  
old ,*imu m\nd ne> ,truxillo1 & t ,don  
,luis has got u ! gov]nm5t concession to
 bore into x1 if we c only raise !      
capital to c>ry x out4  ,k5n$y %[$ no   
disposition to leave ! academic & become
 int]e/$ 9 ! ?+ f ! f9ancial /&po9t1 & !
 conv]sation dragg$4  ,i beg p>don1     
apologiz$ ,lockwood at l5g?1 b ,i h "s v
 important lett]s t ,i mu/ get (f be=e !
 mail closes4 ,i'll see y1 ,i presume1  
:5 ! ,s5orita & ,don ,luis come back8   
,k5n$y nodd$4 ,9 fact1 ,i ?9k he 0 r    
glad ( ! opportunity to look ?+s ov]    
unhamp]$4     ,,*apt] ,,xxxv  ,,!       
,,buri$ ,,treasure   ,s5ora de ,mo*e--= 
,i _h no d\bt n[ t ?is 0 ! ,p]uvian     
,indian woman ( :om ,s5orita ,inez _h   
spok5--seem$ to lose int]e/ 9 u & 9 !   
conc]t ! mom5t ,don ,luis w5t out4 ,h]  
son also seem$ re/ive4 ,he 0 a          
good-look+ fell[1 ) high =ehead1 nose   
slightly aquil9e1 *9 & m\? firm1 9 fact 
! :ole face ref9$ & intellectual1 ?\gh  
t+$ ) melan*oly4  ,we /roll$ d[n ! wide 

v]&a1 & z we pass$ ! woman & h] son ,i 0
 consci\s ( t /range feel+ 7:i*         
psy*ologi/s tell u1 h[ev]1 has no       
f\ndation7 ( be+ />$ at f beh9d4  ,k5n$y
 turn$ sudd5ly & aga9 we pass$1 j 9 "t  
to cat* 9 a l[ tone f ! "y man1 ,yes1 ,i
 h se5 him at ! ,univ]sity4 ,ev]yone    
kn[s t he--  ,! re/ 0 lo/4  ,x 0 q      
evid5t n[ t !y ?\ght we 7 int]e/$ 9 !m4 
,!re 01 !n1 no use 9 our wat*+ !m fur!r4
 ,inde$1 :5 we turn$ aga91 we f\nd t !  
,s5ora & ,alfonso _h ris51 gone ?r\gh ! 
long1 op5 w9d[ inside1 & 7 mak+ _! way  
sl[ly to ! elevator4  ,! door ( !       
elevator _h sc>cely clos$ :5 ,k5n$y     
turn$ on 8 heel & quickly made 8 way    
back to ! alcove :]e we _h be5 sitt+4   
,ly+ ab\t on ! a% tray on a little wick]
 table 7 sev]al ( ,m5doza's half-burn$  
cig>ettes4 ,we sat d[n a mom5t &1 aft] a
 ha/y glance ar\nd1 ,craig ga!r$ !m up &
 fold$ !m 9 a piece ( pap]4  ,leisurely 
,k5n$y /roll$ ov] to ! desk1 &1 z gue/s 
9 a summ] hotel w d1 look$ ov] ! regi/]4
 ,! ,m5dozas1 fa!r & daught]1 7 regi/]$ 

9 rooms #haj & #hab1 a suite on ! eigh? 
floor4 ,lockwood 0 across ! hall 9 #haa4
  ,turn+ ! pages1 ,k5n$y paus$1 !n nudg$
 me4 ,s5ora de ,mo*e & ,s5or ,alfonso de
 ,mo*e 7 on ! same floor 9 #hci & #hda1 
j ar\nd an ,l 9 ! hall4 ,! two p>ties   
mu/ meet frequ5tly n only d[n/airs 9 !  
inn1 b 9 ! corridors & elevators4       
,k5n$y said no?+1 b glanc$ at 8 wat*4   
,we _h ne>ly ?ree-qu>t]s ( an h\r to    
wait yet until our pretty cli5t return$4
  ,!re's no use 9 wa/+ "t or 9 try+ to  
conceal our id5tity1 he said f9ally1    
draw+ a c>d f 8 pocket & h&+ x to !     
cl]k4 ,s5ora de ,mo*e1 please4  ,mu* to 
my surprise1 ! ,s5ora telephon$ d[n t %e
 w\ld see u 9 h] own sitt+-room1 & ,i   
foll[$ ,k5n$y into ! elevator4  ,alfonso
 0 out & ! ,s5ora 0 alone4  ,i hope t y 
w p>don me1 began ,craig ) an elaborate 
explanation1 b ,i h become int]e/$ 9 an 
opportunity to inve/ 9 a ,p]uvian v5ture
 & !y tell me at ! (fice t y are a      
,p]uvian4 ,i ?\ght t p]haps y c\ld      
advise me4  ,%e look$ at u ke5ly4 ,i    

fanci$ t %e detect$ ! subt]fuge1 yet %e 
did n try to avoid u4 ,on clos] view1 h]
 eyes 7 really rem>kable--^? ( a woman  
end[$ ) an abundance ( heal? &          
en]gy--eyes t 7 full ( :at ! old        
phr5ologi/s us$ to call amativ5ess1     
d5ot+ a nature capable ( int5se passion1
 :e!r ( love or hate4 ,yet ,i confess t 
,i c\ld n f9d any?+ especially abnormal 
ab\t !m1 z ,i _h ab\t ,m5doza's4  ,i    
suppose y mean t s*eme ( ,s5or ,m5doza &
 8 fri5d1 ,mr4 ,lockwood1 %e return$1   
speak+ rapidly4 ,let me tell y ab\t x4  
,y may "k t ! ,*imu tribes 9 ! nor? 7 ! 
weal?ie/ at ! "t ( ! com+ ( ! ,spani>ds4
 ,well1 !y _h a cu/om ( bury+ ) _! dead 
all _! movable prop]ty4 ,sometimes a    
common grave or huaca 0 giv5 to _m4 ,t  
w\ld become a ca*e ( treasure4  ,back 9 
! sev5te5? c5tury1 %e cont9u$1 lean+    
=w>d eag]ly z %e talk$1 a ,spani>d op5$ 
a ,*imu huaca & f\nd gold t is said to h
 be5 wor? a million doll>s4 ,an ,indian 
told him ( x4 ,aft] he _h %[n him !     
treasure1 ! ,indian told ! ,spani>d t he

 _h giv5 him only ! little fi%1 ! peje  
*ica1 b t "s day he w\ld give him ! big 
fi%1 ! peje gr&e4  ,! ,indian di$1 %e   
w5t on solemnly1 fla%+ at ,craig a      
glance f h] wond]ful eyes4 ,he 0 poison$
 by ! o!r memb]s ( 8 tribe4 ,%e paus$1  
!n fla%$1 ,t is my tribe1 my family4    
,%e paus$ a mom5t4 ,! big fi% is /ill a 
secret--or at lea/ x 0 until !y got x f 
my bro!r1 to :om ! tradition _h be5     
intru/$4 ,!y drove him crazy--until he  
talk$4 ,!n1 aft] he _h told ! secret1 & 
lo/ 8 m9d1 he ?rew himself "o day into  
,lake ,titicaca4  ,%e /opp$ dramatically
 9 h] passionate out-p\r+ ( ! trag$ies t
 _h foll[$ ! hidd5 treasure4  ,i _c tell
 y m ?an y probably already "k1 %e      
resum$1 wat*+ our faces int5tly4 ,y "k1 
,i suppose1 t ! treasure is believ$ to  
be 9 a l>ge m\nd1 a tumulus ,i ?9k y    
call x1 visible f our t[n ( ,truxillo4  
,_m p h tri$ to op5 x1 b ! mass ( s&    
p\rs d[n on !m & !y h be5 disc\rag$4 ,b 
,s5or ,m5doza believes t he kn[s j :]e  
to bore & ,mr4 ,lockwood has a plan = a 

well-timb]$ tunnel :i* c be driv5 at !  
"r po9t4  ,%e said x ) a sort ( quiet   
assurance t convey$ ! impression )\t h] 
say+ x t ! v5ture 0 someh[ doom$ to     
failure1 t ^! desecrators 7 m]ely toy+ )
 fate4 ,all ?r\gh h] rem>ks "o c\ld feel
 t %e suspect$ ,m5doza ( hav+ be5       
responsible = ! d[nfall & trag$y ( h]   
bro!r1 :o _h betray$ ! age-old secret4  
,h] eyes assum$ a f>-away1 dreamy look z
 %e w5t on4 ,y mu/ "k t we ,p]uvians h  
be5 s educat$ t we nev] explore ru9s =  
hidd5 treasure--n ev5 if we h ! k (     
eng9e]+ to d s4  ,app>5tly %e 0 ?9k+ (  
h] son & 8 /udies at ! ,univ]sity4 ,"o  
c\ld foll[ h] ?\ghts z !y flitt$ f him  
to ! beautiful girl ) :om %e _h se5 u4  
,we are a peculi> race1 %e proce$$4 ,we 
seldom int]m>ry ) o!r races4 ,we are z  
pr\d z ,s5or ,m5doza1 z pr\d ( our      
unmix$ l9eage z y\r 'belt$ e>ls4'  ,%e  
said x ) a quiet dignity q 9 contra/ ) !
 n]v\s1 ha/y mann] ( ,don ,luis4 ,!re 0 
no d\bt t ! race feel+ cut deep4  ,k5n$y
 _h be5 foll[+ h] closely & ,i c\ld see 

t ! cross curr5ts ( sup]/ition1 av>ice &
 race hatr$ 9 ! case pres5t$ a tangle t 
*all5g$ him4  ,?ank y1 he murmur$1 ris+4
 ,y h told me q en\gh to make me ?9k    
s]i\sly be=e ,i jo9 9 any su* und]tak+4 
,%e smil$ enigmatically & we b[$        
ourselves out4  ,a mo/ baffl+ woman1 0  
,craig's only comm5t z we rode d[n aga9 
9 ! elevator to wait = ! return ( ,don  
,luis & ! ,s5orita4  ,sc>cely _h _! *air
 set !m d[n at ! inn ?an ,alfonso seem$ 
to appe> f n[h]e4 ,he _h evid5tly be5   
wait+ 9 ! %ad[ ( ! por* = !m4  ,we /ood 
aside & wat*$ ! little drama4 ,= a few  
m9utes ! ,s5orita talk$ ) him4 ,"o did n
 ne$ to be told t %e _h a deep reg>d = !
 "y man4 ,%e want$ to see him1 yet %e   
did n want to see him4 ,don ,luis1 on ! 
contr>y1 seem$ to become q re/ive &     
impati5t aga9 & to wi% to cut !         
conv]sation %ort4  ,x 0 self-evid5t t   
,alfonso 0 deeply 9 love ) ,inez4 ,i    
wond]$ :e!r1 aft] all1 ! tr\ble 0 t !   
pr\d old ,ca/ilian ,don ,luis w\ld nev] 
cons5t to ! m>riage ( 8 daught] to "o ( 

,indian blood8 ,0 he afraid ( a love    
=bidd5 by race prejudice8  ,9 any ev5t1 
"o c\ld easily imag9e ! feel+s (        
,alphonso t[>d ,lockwood1 :om he saw    
c>ry+ (f ! prize "u 8 v eyes4 ,z = 8 "m1
 we _h se5 t ! ,p]uvians ( h] ca/e 7 a  
pr\d old race4 ,h] son 0 ! apple ( h]   
eye4 ,:o 7 ^! to scorn h] race1 h]      
family8  ,x 0 a little m ?an an h\r aft]
 our fir/ meet+ :5 ! p>ty1 includ+      
,lockwood1 :o _h f9i%$ 8 lett]s1 ga!r$  
aga9 up 9 ! rooms ( ! ,m5dozas4  ,x 0 a 
delightful ev5+1 ev5 9 spite ( ! t5sion 
on :i* we 74 ,we *att$ ab\t ev]y?+ f    
ar*eology to ,wall ,/reet1 until ,i c\ld
 well imag9e h[ anyone possess$ ( an    
imag9ation susceptible to ! influ5ce (  
my/]y & tradition w\ld succumb to !     
glitt]+ *>m ( ! magic words1 peje *ica1 
& feel all ! gold hunt]'s en?usiasm :5  
br\ght into ! atmosph]e ( ! peje gr&e4  
,visions ( hidd5 treasure seem$ to ?r[ a
 glam\r ov] ev]y?+4  ,k5n$y & ! ,s5orita
 _h mov$ ov] to a w9d[1 :]e !y 7 gaz+   
out on ! fairyl& ( ,atlantic ,bea*      

spread out be=e !m1 :ile ,lockwood &    
,don ,luis 7 eag]ly quizz+ me on !      
possibilities ( newspap] publicity4     
,oh1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 ,i he>d h] say "u
 h] brea?1 sometimes ,i fe> t x is ! mal
 de ojo--! evil eye4  ,i did n cat*     
,craig's answ]1 b ,i did cat* "t & aga9 
n>r[ly obs]v+ ,don ,luis4 ,our ho/ 0    
smok+ furi\sly n[1 & 8 eyes _h ev5 m ?an
 be=e t peculi>1 />+ look4 ,by ! way 8  
ve9s /ood out ,i c\ld see t ,m5doza's   
he>t action mu/ be rapid4 ,he 0 talk+ m 
& m wildly z he grew m excit$4 ,ev5     
,lockwood notic$ x &1 ,i ?\ght1 fr[n$4  
,sl[ly ! conviction 0 =c$ on me4 ,! man 
0 mad--rav+ mad6  ,really1 ,i mu/ get   
back to ! city tonight1 ,i ov]he>d      
,craig say to ! ,s5orita z f9ally he    
turn$ f ! w9d[ t[>d u4  ,h] face cl\d$1 
b %e said no?+4  ,if y c\ld arrange to h
 u d9e ) y tomorr[ night up "h1 h[ev]1  
he add$ quickly 9 a :isp]1 ,i ?9k ,i    
might be prep>$ to take "s action4  ,by 
all means1 %e repli$ eag]ly1 z ?\gh     
cat*+ at any?+ t promis$ aid4  ,on !    

late tra9 back1 ,i half doz$1 wond]+ :at
 _h caus$ ,m5doza's evid5t madness4 ,0 x
 a sort ( auto-hypnotism8 ,!re 01 ,i    
knew1 a =m ( illusion kn[n z            
oph?almophobia--fe> ( ! eye4 ,x rang$ f 
m]e av]sion at be+ gaz$ at1 all ! way to
 ! subjective developm5t ( real physical
 illness out ( o!rwise trifl+ ailm5ts4  
,if n t1 :at object c\ld !re be = anyone
 to cause su* a condition8 ,might x be =
 ! purpose ( robb]y8 ,or might x be =   
rev5ge8  ,back 9 ! laboratory1 ,k5n$y   
pull$ out f a cab9et a peculi> app>atus4
 ,x seem$ to consi/ ( a sort ( triangul>
 prism set ) its edge v]tically on a    
rigid plat=m atta*$ to a massive /&4    
,next he light$ "o ( ! cig>ette /ubs :i*
 he _h c>ri$ away s c>efully4 ,! smoke  
curl$ up betwe5 a p[]ful light & !      
peculi> in/rum5t1 :ile ,craig pe]$ ?r\gh
 a l5s1 manipulat+ ! ?+ ) exhau/less    
pati5ce & skill4  ,f9ally he beckon$ me 
ov] & ,i look$ ?r\gh1 too4 ,on a sort ( 
f9e grat+ all ,i c\ld see 0 a numb] (   
/range l9es4  ,t1 he expla9$ 9 answ] to 

my unspok5 "q z ,i cont9u$ to gaze1 is  
"o ( ! late/ =ms ( ! spectroscope1 kn[n 
z ! int]f]omet]1 ) delicately rul$      
grat+s 9 :i* p[] to resolve ! /raight   
close l9es 9 ! spectrum is c>ri$ to !   
limit ( possibility4 ,a small wat* is   
delicate1 b x be>s no comp>ison to !    
delicacy ( ^! detraction spectroscopes4 
,e sub/ance1 y "k1 is1 :5 radiat+ light1
 *>act]iz$ by :at at fir/ appe>s to be  
almo/ a haphaz>d set ( spectral l9es )\t
 relation to "o ano!r4 ,b !y are relat$ 
by ma!matical laws & ! app>5t haphaz>d  
"* is only ! result ( our lack ( k ( h[ 
to int]pret ! results4  ,he resum$ 8    
place at ! eye-piece to *eck ov] 8      
results4 ,walt]1 he said f9ally ) a     
tw9kle ( ! eye1 ,i wi% y'd g out & f9d  
me a cat4  ,a cat8 ,i repeat$4  ,yes--a 
cat--felis dome/icus1 if x s\nds bett] t
 way1 a pla9 ord9>y cat4  ,i jamm$ on my
 hat &1 late z x 01 salli$ =? on ?is    
app>5tly ridicul\s mission4  ,sev]al    
belat$ pass]s-by & a policeman wat*$ me 
z ?\gh ,i 7 a h\se-break] & ,i felt l a 

fool1 b at la/ by p]sev]ance & tact ,i  
manag$ to capture a fairly good specim5 
( ! species & transport$ x 9 my arms to 
! laboratory )\t an undue numb] (       
scrat*es4     ,,*apt] ,,xxxvi  ,,! ,,we$
 ,,( ,,madness   ,9 my abs5ce ,craig _h 
set to "w on a peculi> app>atus1 z ?\gh 
he 7 di/ill+ some?+ f sev]al ( ! o!r    
cig>ette /ubs4  ,i plac$ ! cat 9 a      
basket & wat*$ ,craig until f9ally he   
seem$ to be rew>d$ = 8 pati5t labors4 ,x
 0 well along t[>d morn+ :5 he obta9$ 9 
a te/-tube a few drops ( a colorless1   
almo/ odorless liquid4  ,i wat*$ him    
curi\sly z he pick$ ! cat out ( ! basket
 & held x g5tly 9 8 arms4 ,) a dropp] he
 suck$ up a bit ( ! liquid f ! te/-tube4
 ,!n he let a small drop fall into ! eye
 ( ! cat4  ,! cat bl9k$ a mom5t & ,i b5t
 ov] to obs]ve x m closely4 ,! cat's eye
 seem$ to enl>ge1 ev5 "u ! light1 z if x
 7 ! prov]bial cat's eye "u a b$4  ,:at 
did x mean8 ,0 !re su* a ?+ z ! drug ( !
 evil eye8  ,:at h y f\nd8 ,i qu]i$4    
,some?+ v mu* l ! s-call$ 'we$ (        

madness1' ,i ?9k1 he repli$ sl[ly4  ,!  
we$ ( madness8 ,i repeat$4  ,yes1 some?+
 l t ,mexican toloa*e & ! ,h9du datura  
:i* y mu/ h he>d ab\t1 he cont9u$4 ,y "k
 ! jimson we$--! ,jame/[n we$8 ,x gr[s  
almo/ ev]y:]e 9 ! _w1 b mo/ ?riv+ly 9 ! 
tropics4 ,!y are all relat$ 9 "s way1 ,i
 believe4 ,! jimson we$ on ! ,pacific   
coa/ ( ! ,&es has l>ge :ite fl[]s :i*   
exhale a fa9t1 repulsive odor4 ,x is a  
h>mless look+ plant ) its ?ick tangle ( 
leaves1 a co>se gre5 gr[?1 )            
trumpet-%ap$ fl[]s4 ,b1 to "o :o kn[s   
its prop]ties1 x is q too dang]\sly     
conv5i5t4  ,i ?9k ^? cig>ettes h be5    
dop$1 he w5t on positively4 ,x isn't    
toloa*e t 0 us$4 ,i ?9k x mu/ be "s     
p>ticul>ly virul5t v>iety ( ! jimson    
we$4 ,p]haps x is 9 ! prep>ation ( ! ?+4
 ,! se$s ( ! /ramonium1 :i* is ! same   
?+1 conta9 a high] p]c5tage ( poison ?an
 ! leaves & fl[]s4 ,p]haps !y 7 us$4 ,i 
c't say4  ,he took a drop ( ! liquid he 
_h isolat$ & add$ a drop ( nitric acid4 
,!n he evaporat$ x by g5tle heat & x    

left a residue :i* 0 slightly yell[4    
,next he took f ! %elf ov] 8 table a    
bottle m>k$ alcoholic solution1         
potassium hydrate1 & let a drop fall on 
x4 ,in/antly ! residue became a         
beautiful purple1 turn+ rapidly to      
violet1 !n to d>k r$ & f9ally disappe>$4
  ,/ramonium all "r1 he nodd$ )         
satisfaction4 ,t 0 kn[n z ,vitali's te/4
 ,yes1 !re 0 /ramonium 9 ^?             
cig>ettes--datura /ramonium--p]haps a   
trace ( hyocyam9o4 ,!y are all1 l       
atrop9e1 mydriatic alkaloids1 s-call$ f 
! effect on ! eye4 ,"o "o-hundr$-?\s&? (
 a gra9 w affect ! cat's eye4 ,y saw h[ 
x act$4 ,x is m active ?an ev5 atrop9e4 
,bett] yet1 y rememb] h[ ,don ,luis's   
eyes look$4  ,h[ ab\t ! ,s5ora8 ,i put  
94  ,oh1 he answ]$ quickly1 h] pupils 7 
normal en\gh4 ,didn't y notice t8 ,?is  
conc5trat$ poison :i* has be5 us$ 9     
,m5doza's cig>ettes does n kill1 at lea/
 n outright4 ,x is worse4 ,sl[ly x      
accumulates 9 ! sy/em4 ,x acts on !     
bra94 ,( all ! dang]s to be met ) 9     

sup]/iti\s c\ntries1 ^! mydriatic       
alkaloids are among ! wor/4 ,!y (f] a   
*ance = crimes ( ! mo/ fi5di%           
nature--worse ?an ! gun or ! /iletto1 & 
) little fe> ( detection4 ,x is !       
production ( insanity6  ,horrible ?\gh !
 idea 0 ,i c\ld n d\bt x 9 ! face (     
,craig's inve/igations & :at ,i _h      
already se54 ,9 fact1 x 0 necess>y = me 
only to recall ! peculi> s5sations ,i   
myself _h exp]i5c$ aft] smok+ m]ely a   
few puffs ( "o ( ,m5doza's cig>ettes 9  
ord] to be conv9c$ ( ! possible effect (
 ! insidi\s poison conta9$ 9 ! _m t he  
smok$4  ,x 0 almo/ dawn be=e ,craig & ,i
 left ! laboratory aft] 8 discov]y ( !  
mann] ( ! /ramonium poison+4 ,i 0       
?or\ghly tir$1 ?\gh n s mu* s t my      
dreams 7 n haunt$ by a succession (     
baleful eyes pe]+ at me f ! d>kness4  ,i
 slept late1 b ,k5n$y 0 ab\t e>ly at !  
laboratory1 v]ify+ 8 exp]im5ts & *eck+  
ov] 8 results1 c>efully endeavor+ to    
isolate any o!r ( ! closely relat$      
mydriatic alkaloids t might be conta9$ 9

 ! noxi\s fumes ( ! poison$ tobacco4    
,?\gh he 0 already conv9c$ ( :at 0 go+  
on1 ,i knew t he consid]$ x a matt] (   
consid]able m$ico-legal importance to be
 exact1 = if ! affair ev] came to ! /age
 ( secur+ an indictm5t1 ! *>ge c\ld be  
su/a9$ only by specific pro(4  ,e>ly 9 !
 =5oon ,k5n$y left me alone 9 !         
laboratory & made a trip d[nt[n1 :]e he 
visit$ a ,s\? ,am]ican tobacco deal] &  
plac$ a ru% ord] = a c\ple ( hundr$     
cig>ettes1 duplicat+ 9 %ape & quality ^?
 :i* ,s5or ,m5doza doza pref]r$1 except1
 h[ev]1 ! deadly drug :i* 0 9 ^? he 0   
smok+4  ,i _h "s writ+ to d & 0 busily  
engag$ at my typewrit] :5 ,i sudd5ly    
became consci\s ( t feel+ ( be+ wat*$4  
,p]haps ,i _h he>d a foot/ep outside &  
did n rememb] x1 b at any rate ,i _h !  
feel+4 ,i /opp$ tapp+ ! keys sudd5ly &  
:eel$ ab\t 9 my *air j 9 "t to cat* a   
glimpse ( a face dodg+ back f ! w9d[4 ,i
 don't ?9k t ,i w\ld be prep>$ to swe> j
 :o x 01 b !re 0 j en\gh t 0 famili>    
ab\t ! fleet+ glimpse ( ! eyes to make  

me feel uncom=table4  ,i ran to ! door1 
b x 0 too late4 ,! intrud] _h disappe>$4
 ,/ill1 ! m ,i ?\ght ab\t x1 ! m det]m9$
 ,i 0 to v]ify my suspicions1 if        
possible4 ,i put on my hat & walk$ ov]  
to ! regi/r>'s (fice4 ,sure en\gh1      
,alfonso de ,mo*e 0 regi/]$ 9 ! summ]   
s*ool z well z 9 ! regul> c\rse4 ,i 0 n[
 fully conv9c$ t x 0 he :o _h be5 wat*+ 
u4  ,n satisfi$1 ,i det]m9$ to make     
fur!r inquiries ab\t ! "y man4 ,he _h   
be5 at ! ,univ]sity t morn+1 ,i le>n$ f 
"o ( 8 pr(essors1 & t conv9c$ me m ?an  
ev] t he _h employ$ at lea/ a "p ( ! "t 
9 spy+ on u4 ,z ,i _h expect$1 !        
pr(essor told me t he 0 an excell5t     
/ud5t1 ?\gh v quiet & res]v$4 ,8 m9d    
seem$ to run along ! l9e ( eng9e]+ &    
m9+1 especially1 & ,i c\ld n help draw+ 
! conclusion t p]haps he1 too1 0 infect$
 by ! furore = treasure hunt+1 9 spite (
 8 ,indian ance/ry4  ,no?+ fur!r        
occurr$1 h[ev]1 dur+ ! day to excite    
suspicion & ,craig li/5$ ) int]e/1 ?\gh 
)\t comm5t1 :5 ,i relat$ :at _h happ5$4 

,he divid$ 8 "t dur+ ! re/ ( ! day      
betwe5 "s exp]im5tal "w ( 8 own & fits (
 deep rev]ie 9 :i* he 0 evid5tly try+ to
 piece toge!r ! brok5 /r&s ( ! /range   
/ory 9 :i* we 7 n[ conc]n$4  ,! package 
( cig>ettes :i* he _h ord]$ 0 deliv]$   
late 9 ! aft]noon4 ,k5n$y _h already    
wrapp$ up a small package ( a p[d] &    
fill$ a small atomiz] ) "s liquid4 ,/[+ 
^! ?+s away 9 8 pockets z be/ he c\ld1 )
 a little vial :i* he %ov$ into 8       
wai/coat pocket1 he ann\nc$ t he 0 ready
 at la/ to take an e>ly tra9 to         
,atlantic ,bea*4  ,we d9$ t night1 z    
,craig _h reque/$1 ) ! ,m5dozas &       
,lockwood up 9 ! sitt+-room ( ,don      
,luis's suite4 ,x 0 a delightfully      
situat$ room1 ov]look+ ! bo>dwalk & !   
ocean1 & ! fre% w9d t 0 waft$ 9 f ! wat]
 made x q ! equal ( a ro( g>d54  ,d9n]  
_h be5 ord]$ b n s]v$1 :5 ,craig        
maneuv]$ to get a few m9utes alone )    
,inez4 ,al?\gh ,i c\ld n he>1 ,i ga!r$ t
 he 0 outl9+ at lea/ a "p ( 8 plans to  
h] & seek+ h] co-op]ation4 ,%e seem$ to 

und]/& & approve1 & ,i really believe t 
! d9n] 0 ! fir/ 9 a long "t t ! di/ract$
 girl _h really enjoy$4  ,:ile we 7     
wait+ = x1 ,i sudd5ly became aw>e t %e  
_h contriv$ to leave ,k5n$y & myself    
alone 9 ! sitt+-room = a mom5t4 ,x 0    
evid5tly "p ( ,craig's plan4 ,in/antly  
he op5$ a l>ge case 9 :i* ,m5doza kept  
cig>ettes & ha/ily sub/itut$ = ^? 9 x an
 equal numb] ( ! cig>ettes :i* he _h _h 
made4  ,! d9n] itself 0 m l a family    
p>ty ?an a =mal d9n]1 = ,k5n$y1 :5 he   
want$ to d s1 _h a way ( +ratiat+       
himself & lead+ ! conv]sation s t       
ev]yone 0 at 8 ease4 ,ev]y?+ progress$  
smoo?ly until we came to ! c(fee4 ,!    
,s5orita p\r$1 & z %e rais$ ! c(fee pot 
,k5n$y call$ our att5tion to a long l9e 
( colli]s j on ! edge ( ! horizon1 sl[ly
 mak+ _! way up ! coa/4  ,i 0 sitt+ next
 to ! ,s5orita1 n p>ticul>ly int]e/$ 9  
colli]s at t mom5t4 ,f a fold 9 h] dress
 ,i saw h] ha/ily draw a little vial &  
p\r a bit ( yell[i%1 syrupy liquid into 
! cup :i* %e 0 prep>+ = h] fa!r4  ,i    

c\ld n help look+ at h] quickly4 ,%e saw
 me1 !n rais$ h] f+] to h] lips ) an    
explanatory glance at ,k5n$y1 :o 0 keep+
 ! o!rs int]e/$ 9 colli]s4 ,in/antly ,i 
recogniz$ ! little vial t ,k5n$y _h %ov$
 into 8 ve/ pocket4  ,m c(fee &         
innum]able cig>ettes foll[$4 ,i did my  
be/ to aid 9 ! conv]sation1 b my real   
int]e/ 0 c5t]$ 9 ,don ,luis himself1 :om
 ,i c\ld n help wat*+ closely4  ,0 x a  
fact or 0 x m]ely imag9ation8 ,he seem$ 
q diff]5t4 ,! pupils ( 8 eyes did n seem
 to be q s dilat$ z !y _h be5 ! night   
be=e4 ,ev5 8 he>t action appe>$ to be m 
normal4 ,i ?9k ! ,s5orita notic$ x1 too4
  ,d9n] ov] & d>kness cutt+ (f !        
magnific5t sweep ( ocean view1 ,inez    
sugge/$ t we g d[n to ! conc]t1 z _h be5
 _! cu/om4 ,x 0 ! fir/ "t t ,k5n$y _h n 
seem$ to fall 9 ) any ( h] sugge/ions1 b
 ,i knew t t1 too1 mu/ be "p ( 8        
preconc]t$ plan4  ,if y w p>don u1 he   
excus$1 ,mr4 ,jameson & ,i h "s fri5ds  
ov] at ,/illson ,hall :om we h promis$  
to run 9 to see4 ,i ?9k ?is w\ld be a   

good opportunity4 ,we'll rejo9 y--9 !   
alcove :]e we 7 la/ night1 if possible4 
,no "o object$4 ,9 fact ,i ?9k ,lockwood
 0 r glad to h a *ance to talk to ,inez1
 = ,k5n$y _h monopoliz$ a great deal (  
h] att5tion4  ,we left !m at ! elevator1
 b in/ead ( leav+ ! ,inn ,k5n$y edg$ 8  
way ar\nd into ! %ad[ ( a doorway :]e we
 c\ld wat*4 ,=tunately ! ,s5orita manag$
 to get ! same settee 9 ! corn] :i* we  
_h occupi$ ! night be=e4  ,a mom5t lat] 
,i caught a glimpse ( a famili> face at 
! long w9d[ op5+ on ! v]&a4 ,s5ora de   
,mo*e & h] son _h drawn up *airs1 j     
outside4  ,!y _h n se5 u &1 z f> z we   
knew1 _h no reason to suspect t we 7    
ab\t4 ,z we wat*$ ! two gr\ps1 ,i c\ld n
 fail to note t ! *ange 9 ,don ,luis 0  
really m>k$4 ,!re 0 none ( ! wildness 9 
8 conv]sation1 z !re _h be54 ,once he   
ev5 met ! ke5 eye ( ! ,s5ora1 b x did n 
seem to h ! effect x _h _h on ! previ\s 
occasion4  ,:at 0 x y _h ! ,s5orita drop
 into 8 c(fee8 ,i ask$ ,craig "u my     
brea?4  ,y saw t8 he smil$4 ,x 0        

piloc>p9e1 jabor&i1 a plant f\nd l>gely 
9 ,brazil1 "o ( ! antidotes = /ramonium 
poison+4 ,x doesn't "w ) ev]yone4 ,b x  
seems to h done s ) ,m5doza4 ,besides1 !
 caffe9e 9 ! c(fee probably aid$ !      
piloc>p9e4 ,did y notice h[ x contract$ 
8 pupils almo/ back to normal aga98     
,k5n$y did n take 8 eyes (f ! two gr\ps 
z he talk$4 ,i've got at ! case f a     
br&-new angle1 ,i ?9k1 he add$4 ,unless 
,i am mi/ak51 :5 ! crim9al sees ,don    
,luis gett+ bett]1 x w mean ano!r       
attempt to sub/itute m cig>ettes dop$ ) 
t drug4  ,satisfi$ s f> ) ! play he 0   
/ag+1 ,k5n$y mov$ ov] to ! hotel desk1 &
 aft] a quiet conf]5ce ) ! head cl]k1   
f\nd out t ! room next to ! suite ( !   
,m5dozas 0 empty4 ,! cl]k gave him      
sev]al keys & ) a la/ look at ! ,s5ora &
 h] son1 to see :e!r !y 7 gett+ re/ive1 
,i foll[$ ,craig into ! elevator & we   
rode up to ! eigh? floor aga94  ,! halls
 7 des]t$ n[ & we ent]$ ! room next to !
 ,m5dozas )\t be+ obs]v$4 ,x 0 a simple 
matt] aft] t to op5 a r heavy door t    

communicat$ betwe5 ! two suites4        
,in/ead ( swit*+ on ! light1 ,k5n$y fir/
 look$ ab\t c>efully until he 0 assur$ t
 no "o 0 !re4 ,quickly he spr9kl$ on !  
floor f ! hall door to ! table on :i* ! 
case ( cig>ettes lay "s ( ! p[d] :i* ,i 
_h se5 him wrap up 9 ! laboratory be=e  
we left4 ,!n ) ! atomiz] he spray$ ov] x
 some?+ t _h a pung5t1 famili> odor1    
walk+ backw>ds f ! hall door z he did s4
  ,don't y want m light8 ,i ask$1 />t+  
to cross to a w9d[ to raise a %ade to   
let ! moonlight /ream 94  ,don't walk on
 x1 ,walt]1 he :isp]$1 pu%+ me back4    
,fir/ ,i spr9kl$ "s p[d]$ iod9e & !n    
ammonia en\gh to moi/5 x4 ,x evaporates 
quickly1 leav+ :at ,i call my           
anti-burgl> p[d]4  ,he _h f9i%$ 8 "w &  
n[ ! ev5+ w9d 0 bl[+ away ! slight fumes
 t _h ris54 ,= a few mom5ts he left !   
door into ! next room op5 to cle> away !
 odor1 !n quietly clos$ x1 b did n lock 
x4  ,9 ! d>kness we settl$ ourselves n[ 
= a vigil t 0 to la/ we knew n h[ long4 
,nei!r ( u spoke z we half cr\*$ 9 !    

%ad[ ( ! next room1 li/5+4  ,sl[ly ! "t 
pass$4 ,w\ld anyone take advantage ( !  
opportunity to tamp] ) t box ( cig>ettes
 on ,m5doza's table8 ,:o 0 x :o _h      
conceiv$ & execut$ ?is devili% plot8    
,:at 0 ! purpose back ( x all8  ,once or
 twice we he>d ! elevator door clang &  
wait$ expectantly1 b no?+ happ5$4 ,i    
began to wond] :e!r if someone _h a     
pass-key to ! ,m5doza suite we c\ld he> 
!m ent]4 ,! outside hall 0 ?ickly c>pet$
 & dead5$ e footfall if "o ex]cis$ only 
reasonable caution4  ,don't y ?9k we    
might leave ! door aj> a little8 ,i     
sugge/$ anxi\sly4  ,%6 0 ,k5n$y's only  
comm5t 9 ! negative4  ,i glanc$ n[ & !n 
at my wat* & 0 surpris$ to see h[ e>ly x
 04 ,! m9utes 7 surely lead5-foot$4  ,9 
! d>kness & sil5ce ,i fell to review+ ! 
weird succession ( ev5ts :i* _h fill$ ! 
pa/ two days4 ,i am n by nature         
sup]/iti\s1 b 9 ! d>kness ,i c\ld well  
imag9e a />+ succession ( eyes1 beg9n+ )
 ! dilat$ pupils ( ,don ,luis & always  
end+ ) ^? rem>kable pi]c+ black eyes ( !

 ,indian woman ) ! melan*oly-visag$ son4
  ,sudd5ly ,i he>d 9 ! next room :at    
s\nd$ l a s]ies ( little explosions1 z  
?\gh someone 7 tread+ on mat*-heads4    
,my burgl> p[d]1 mutt]$ ,craig 9 a ho>se
 :isp]4 ,e /ep1 ev5 ^? ( a m\se runn+   
across1 sets x (f6  ,he rose quickly &  
?rew op5 ! door into ! ,m5doza suite4 ,i
 sprang ?r\gh aft] him4  ,!re1 9 !      
%ad[s1 ,i saw a d>k =m1 />t+ back 9     
retreat4 ,b x 0 too late4  ,9 ! dim     
light ( ! little explosions1 ,i caught a
 glimpse ( a face--! face ( ! p]son :o  
_h be5 craftily work+ on ! sup]/ition ( 
,don ,luis1 n[ t 8 influ5ce _h got f !  
gov]nm5t ! preci\s concession1 work+ ) !
 dread drug to drive him insane & ?us   
capture bo? ,m5doza's %>e ( ! =tune z   
well z 8 daught]1 well kn[+ t suspicion 
w\ld re/ on ! jeal\s ,indian woman ) !  
wond]ful eyes ^: bro!r _h already be5   
driv5 insane & ^: son ,inez ,m5doza     
really lov$ bett] ?an himself--! soldi] 
( =tune1 ,lockwood4