"
"What first led you to suspect the crime and the means, Nick?" inquired
Chick, curiously.
"Several facts," explained Nick. "The girl's sudden death seemed
peculiar. The jewel casket beside her was empty, at once suggesting that
something had been removed or fallen from it. Yet nothing was to be
found."
"That's true."
"The paper wrapper was punctured with a pin in many places, the holes
running even through the lining of the casket. That fact, too, was
suggestive. People are not in the habit of doing up parcels and then
punching them full of holes with a pin."
"Well, hardly."
"Cervera made those holes, Chick, in order that her venomous captive
might not expire for want of air."
"No doubt of it, Nick. But what do you think led Mary Barton to open the
package after having been told not to do so?"
"Curiosity, perhaps," replied Nick. "Or possibly she considered the
circumstances to be so strange that she felt that she had a right to
open it. Be that as it may, it is plain that Mary Barton sat down on the
park seat, after leaving Boyden and there briefly considered the
matter."
"How do you arrive at that deduction, Nick?"
"From the tiny tinge of fresh blood about one of the pinholes on the
interior of the lining," explained Nick.
Pages:
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109