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Chapter XI. The Case for the Prosecution
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Thephialwasthatalreadyrecognizedbythechemist’sassistant,atinybottleofblueglass,containingafewgrainsofawhitecrystallinepowder,andlabelled:“StrychnineHydro-chloride.POISON.”
Afreshpieceofevidencediscoveredbythedetectivessincethepolicecourtproceedingswasalong,almostnewpieceofblotting-paper.IthadbeenfoundinMrs.Inglethorp’schequebook,andonbeingreversedatamirror,showedclearlythewords:“...erythingofwhichIdiepossessedIleavetomybelovedhusbandAlfredIng...”Thisplacedbeyondquestionthefactthatthedestroyedwillhadbeeninfavourofthedeceasedlady’shusband.Jappthenproducedthecharredfragmentofpaperrecoveredfromthegrate,andthis,withthediscoveryofthebeardintheattic,completedhisevidence.
ButSirErnest’scross-examinationwasyettocome.
“Whatdaywasitwhenyousearchedtheprisoner’sroom?”
“Tuesday,the24thofJuly.”
“Exactlyaweekafterthetragedy?”
“Yes.”
“Youfoundthesetwoobjects,yousay,inthechestofdrawers.Wasthedrawerunlocked?”
“Yes.”
“Doesitnotstrikeyouasunlikelythatamanwhohadcommittedacrimeshouldkeeptheevidenceofitinanunlockeddrawerforanyonetofind?”
“Hemighthavestowedthemthereinahurry.”
“Butyouhavejustsaiditwasawholeweeksincethecrime.Hewouldhavehadampletimetoremovethemanddestroythem.”
“Perhaps.”
“Thereisnoperhapsaboutit.
