"Then that ought to make it easier to trace. If the public could easily procure it at will, there would be greater difficulty in running down the purchaser." "That is so; and yet, I think your search will be a hard one. How shall you go about it?" "By canvassing the drug shops of the city, and of the small towns as well." "It may be you can trace the sale. But if it was bought under promise of secrecy, and if that secrecy were well paid for----?" "True, there is the difficulty. But what's a detective for if not to find out secrets?" "Quite right. May your quest succeed." "And now, a little more about the action of this poison. What are the immediate effects of a fatal dose?" "In a few moments there occurs a tingling numbness of lip and tongue and pharynx. The numbness increases and affects all the muscles and death ensues inside of an hour. This paralyzing effect renders it impossible for the victim to cry out, and there are no convulsions. The body remains calm and undisturbed, and the eyes open. A dilatation of the pupil takes place, but the expression on the face remains as in life. This is why Miss Carrington continued to look happy and smiling----" "And proves that when she took the poison she was happy and smiling, and therefore in no way terrorized or frightened into it." "Exactly so. And that indicates that she didn't know she was taking it,----" "Or, that it was administered by some one she knew and loved and had all confidence in." "It would seem so," and Doctor Stanton's fine old face showed a sad apprehension. "How was it taken,--in what medium?" "That we can't tell to a certainty. There were traces of the sandwiches discovered at the autopsy, but, though the poison could have been given her, concealed in a sandwich filling, it is improbable." "Why?" "Because the white granules or powder, which are soluble in water, would be more easily discerned in solid food." "But, on the other hand, it could be unostentatiously placed in a sandwich, with little fear of detection; but to prevail on her to swallow a solution,--it is bitter, is it not?" "Yes, slightly so. I admit, I cannot imagine any one inducing Miss Carrington to swallow such a draught. Therefore, it may well be, it was placed in a sandwich. The filling, they tell me, was caviare, which would disguise the bitterness." "And does not all this, if true, point to some one exceedingly familiar with all the details of Miss Carrington's affairs? Some one who knew of her nightly sandwich? And, also, does it not imply the presence of some one who could and did insure her consumption of that sandwich?" "It would indeed seem so, Mr. Stone; but when it comes to discussing such a question as that, I must ask to be allowed to retire from the field. It is my duty to tell all I know, from my medical experience, but further than that I am not obliged to express any opinions or voice any suspicions." "You know, however, that Count Charlier is held pending investigation?"