Queen’s Bureau of Investigation Read Free Page B

“each of you receives a small allowance from the income of the estate. The bulk of that income goes to your stepmother for as long as she shall live. But at Mrs. Hood’s demise, you inherit the principal of some two million dollars, in equal shares. In other words, you two are the only persons in the world who will benefit by your stepmother’s death. As I’ve informed both Mrs. Hood and Dr. Benedict—if you are not warned by your extremely good fortune in failing in this dastardly murder attempt, I shall devote what remains of my life to seeing that you are punished to the full extent of the law. In fact, it was my advice to call in the police immediately.”
    â€œCall them now!” cried Penelope.
    Lyra said nothing.
    â€œI could call them now, Penny,” said Mrs. Hood with the same faint smile, “but you’re both very clever and it might not settle anything. My strongest protection would be to throw the two of you out of this house; unfortunately, your father’s will prevents me. Oh, I understand your impatience to be rid of me. You have luxurious tastes which aren’t satisfied by my simple way of living. You’d both like to remarry, and with the money you could buy yourselves second husbands.” The old lady leaned forward a little. “But I have bad news for you. My mother died at ninety-nine, my father at a hundred and three. Dr. Benedict tells me I can live another thirty years, and I have every intention of doing so.” She struggled to her feet, still smiling. “In fact, I’m taking certain precautions to make sure of it,” she said; and she went out.
    Exactly one week later Ellery was seated beside Mrs. Hood’s great mahogany fourposter, under the anxious eyes of Dr. Benedict and Mr. Strake.
    She had been poisoned again. Fortunately, Dr. Benedict had caught it in time.
    Ellery bent over the old lady’s face, which looked more like plaster than flesh. “These precautions of yours, Mrs. Hood—”
    â€œI tell you,” she whispered, “it was impossible.”
    â€œStill,” said Ellery cheerfully, “it was done. So let’s resume. You had your bedroom windows barred and a new lock installed on that door, the single key to which you’ve kept on your person at all times. You’ve bought your own food. You’ve done your own cooking in this room and you’ve eaten here alone. Clearly, then, the poison could not have been introduced into your food before, during, or after its preparation. Further, you tell me you purchased new dishes, have kept them here, and you and you alone have been handling them. Consequently the poison couldn’t have been put on or in the cooking utensils, china, glassware, or cutlery involved in your meals. How then was the poison administered?”
    â€œThat’s the problem,” cried Dr. Benedict.
    â€œA problem, Mr. Queen,” muttered Mr. Strake, “that I thought—and Dr. Benedict agreed—was more your sort of thing than the police’s.”
    â€œWell, my sort of thing is always simple,” replied Ellery, “provided you see it. Mrs. Hood, I’m going to ask you a great many questions. Is it all right, Doctor?”
    Dr. Benedict felt the old lady’s pulse, and he nodded. Ellery began. She replied in whispers, but with great positiveness. She had bought a new toothbrush and fresh tooth paste for her siege. Her teeth were still her own. She had an aversion to medication and took no drugs or palliatives of any kind. She drank nothing but water. She did not smoke, eat sweets, chew gum, use cosmetics.… The questions went on and on. Ellery asked every one he could think of, and then he shook up his brain to think of more.
    Finally, he thanked Mrs. Hood, patted her hand, and went out with Dr. Benedict and Mr. Strake.
    â€œWhat’s your diagnosis, Mr. Queen?” asked Dr. Benedict.
    â€œYour verdict,” said Mr.