I had noted his highly nervous condition at the time when I was called in consultation on his mother's case, and the newspaper account of the manner of his death appeared plausible enough. It is a horrible thing to believe, because taken in connection with the probable poisoning of his mother it points to the work—"
He hesitated and the detective finished the sentence for him.
"Of someone on the inside, some member of the household? Exactly, Doctor."
"But there is no clue, you say, to the identity of that someone? Has not Mr. Lorne any suspicion, any theory to advance?"
"Mr. Lorne was one of the intended victims himself and is too ill now to give me any information; but from the few words I did exchange with him I believe him to be as much in the dark as I am. They haven't an enemy in the world that I have been able to discover, Doctor; and the attorney who has been their family lawyer for many years has supplied me with the most minute details of their history." Odell paused. "If the crimes are not the work of someone in the house, there is at least a member of the household who has a guilty knowledge of them, for there must have been an accomplice inside to admit him. But I am taking up your valuable time, Doctor?"
"You are not, Sergeant," the specialist replied with emphasis. "A frightful mistake has been made by myself and my colleagues, and I want to do all that I can to retrieve it. Unfortunately, I was called in too late to save Mrs. Lorne in any event, as I told you; but I feel equally culpable with the others. Did you tell Doctor Day what
