The Curved Blades

nd each class found ample to satisfy its motive. The mere fact of being within that exclusive home, within those heretofore inaccessible doors, was enough to

y receptive to the appalling facts narrated to them and the curiously bi

rror in view of the fact that such a blow had been given. He affirmed, and Dr. Moore corroborated it, that the autopsy showed that death was caused by aconitine poison, administered, either by the

reme improbability of the poison having been self-administered. Moreover, the temperament and disposition of the late Miss C

ttle flutter of excitement in the

dy slightly open at the throat, well suited her pale, beautiful face and her dark hair and eyes. To-day, her eyes seemed fathomless. At times, gazing intent

o to her aunt's room and of finding there the dead body. She told clearly all the circumstances of the upset tray, the spilled p

on at half-past twelve?

line; "probably at quarter or twenty

she then

e had worn duri

her j

and the other jewelry she had worn with her eveni

had on when you discov

arly so

u account

it. To me it is exc

er snake rou

on herself. Nor can I think she would allow it to come near her if she were alive,-or conscious,-or, had p

oison, whether conscious of her act or not. That the intruder subsequently, and for some reason, placed the snake round the neck of the victim, and, later still, brutally gave her a stunning blow with t

great eyes a moment to Scofield's

uggest a theory that might account for su

y aunt should be so elaborately arrayed and seated in an easy chair

the jewels and adornments have been added

ndition of the body and clothing make

anton; "and, too, what would be

e of them," returned the Coroner, a little testily, for he was

e approximate time of the crime; have you, Miss S

hiter than she had been, and she caught her breath quickly and audibly as she flashed a frightened glance at Gray Haviland. It was

o suspicion of the murderer's identity. It was, of course, a midnight intruder, of the criminal clas

have been administered by one not versed in the ways

e given by a person not belonging to the criminal classes. I f

black-jack assault was made with the intention of concealing the poisoning and making it appear that th

d the blow, for no one else would attack a victim already dead. And a plausible reason would b

n Scofield; "a professional criminal would know t

hing about it!" she cried, and sank back i

ve could be only robbery, and this did not take place. Nor can we think that a burglar was frightened away, before he could appropriate the jewels. For, after giving the poison, and before the blow was given, sufficient time elapsed for a successful getaway to be m

ked Pauline, her composure re

he only motives for murder are love, revenge or gain. Ca

ed my aunt for love; it is improbable that she has ever done any one such wrong as to call for such a deed in reven

a disclaimer for all the legatees. Her way of suggesting it made it seem so far re

eld was as unmove

e made. Did you, Miss Stuart, after leaving your aunt soon

ean by unusual

that you could not explain to yourself as being in an

usehold. Haviland slowly turned his head as if to look at something a

auline, looking str

field, briefly, and the

rical now, or incoherent. She answered tersely questions as to Miss Carrington's

e Oriental negligée, of which she is fond. I offered to take down her hair and

eft her, only the jewels she

bade me replace such jewels as I had already taken off her. She kept on he

dismissed you

s,

hen? Sitting bef

ood in the middl

in an ami

to assist her further, she ord

Miss Carrington oft

as she was w

wn experience. You prepared a n

e's voice trembled and her

t wa

dwiches and a

rt of sa

are,

put a large dose of brom

uery. Pauline and Anita looked at one another. It

parried the Coroner, not answering the

er shoulders; "why should I poison my mistress?

first place, she didn't take it. The glass of milk was found next morning untouched, though t

terated the maid. "Lo

do you

body must have done it, if br

he glass away next morn

says

that; you we

efore it was noticed." Estelle spoke slowly, as if weighing her words, and her furtive glances at Pauline bore only one significance. I

through her or over her or around her, but g

of milk, Miss Stuart?" asked the Coroner,

et at the truth when the witnesses were clever wome

or the moment, and c

es for crime, and added that he agreed with Miss Stuart that the present case could scarcely be ascribed to love or revenge. If the murder was committed for gain, it was, of course, a formal necessity to question all the beneficiaries of Miss Carringt

that; or endeavor to learn in some way the reason for the many peculiar circumstances; or discover, at least, a

and the Coroner spoke shortly; "but pursuing my own plan of obtaining eviden

nds are just as much interested in clearing up this mystery as you a

d 'suspicious' the other time. I did see something unusual. I saw Estelle go stealthily