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104
UNSEEN HANDS

you have told me about the substitution of the needle?"

"No, Doctor. Merely that the family physician had admitted that the case stumped him from the beginning. The medical examiner will notify them both as well as Doctor Kelland and yourself of the time which will be settled upon for the exhumation of the body and the autopsy." The detective rose as if on the point of departure. "In the meantime, while the necessary formalities are being arranged, I wonder if you could give me something to work on?"

"I should be only too happy to, Sergeant. This is going to be rather a blow to my colleagues and myself when the truth reaches the public. But I'm not thinking of that now; all I want is to see justice done; and to be honest I feel a certain amount of professional curiosity. I'm anxious to know what poison was used and how we were all so cleverly hoodwinked." Doctor McCutchen's keen eyes narrowed behind their tortoise-rimmed glasses. "I'll be glad to have you call upon me for any help that I may be able to give you."

A discreet knock sounded upon the door, and at the specialist's impatient bark of admission a white-clad attendant put her head inside.

"Doctor, will you see—"

"Nobody this afternoon. Not at home until six!" He interrupted her shortly, and as the head withdrew he turned to the detective. "What information can I give you, Sergeant?"

"You spoke just now of certain poisons which might have been used and which would leave no traces in the system, Doctor. Will you tell me about them and where they might