"N-no.I believe it was the drug used in the celebrated Lamson poison case," replied the physician slowly."I cannot recall any others just at the moment.""How about suicides?"
"It is seldom, if ever, used for suicides." Stone spoke with more assurance."I have found in my practice, Kent, that suicides can be classed as follows: drowning by the young, pistols by the adult, and hanging by the aged; women generally prefer asphyxiation, using illuminating gas.But this is beside the question, unless" - bending a penetrating look at his companion -" unless you believe Jimmie Turnbull committed suicide.""That idea has occurred to me," admitted Kent."But it doesn't square with other facts which have developed, nor is it in keeping with the character of the man.""Men who suffer from a mortal disease sometimes commit desperate acts, not at all in accord with their previous conduct," responded Stone gravely."Come, Kent, you have not answered my question.
Why did you wish information about this box of aconitine pills prescribed for Mrs.Brewster during her attack of neuralgia?""You have just stated that aconitine is not usually administered to murder a person," Kent spoke seriously, choosing his words with care.
"Do you wonder then, that I consider it more than a coincidence that Jimmie Turnbull should have died from a dose of that poison, and that the drug should have been prescribed for one of the inmates of the house he visited shortly before his death?"The physician sat upright, his face had grown gray."Mr.Kent," he commenced indignantly, "are you aware what you are insinuating? Are you, also, aware that Mrs.Brewster is my cousin, a charming, honorable woman, without a stain on her character?"Kent set the bottom of the box containing the pills in front of the doctor.
"I have found out that this box, with its dangerous drug, was left on the hall table in the McIntyre house; apparently any one had access to its contents, therefore my remarks are not directed against Mrs.Brewster any more than against any person in the McIntyre household, from the Colonel to the servants.I found these three pills at the McIntyre house this morning; how many did your prescription call for?"Stone picked up the small pills and, as he balanced them in his palm, his manner grew more alert.Suddenly he dropped two back in the box and touched the third pill with the tip of his tongue; not content with that he crushed it in his fingers, sniffed the drug, and again tested it with his tongue.His expression was peculiar as he looked up at Kent.
"These are not aconitine pills," he stated positively."They are nitro-glycerine.How did they get in this box?"Kent rubbed his chin in bewilderment.The box bearing the aconitine label and the pills had all rolled out of the china umbrella stand, and he had taken it for granted that the pills belonged in the box.
"I found them loose in the same receptacle," he explained."And concluded they were what remained of the aconitine pills which Grimes, the McIntyre butler, said he left on the hall table Sunday afternoon."Stone smiled with what Kent, who was watching him closely, judged to be an odd mixture of relief and apprehension.
