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Rh arouse suspicion. It is funny, but I was reading up about it when you came in."

He reached under the cushions and drew forth the book, which he opened at a certain page and handed without further remark to the detective.

"Arsenic!" Odell read. "Tri-oxide, eh? 'The crude oxide yields a white, crystalline powder, odorless but with a faint, metallic, sweetish taste. Small quantities produce poisoning.'—Humph! I wonder how small a quantity would produce a noticeable effect in, say, a few days, and what that effect would be."

Rannie reached out his hand for the book, closed it, and placed it once more beneath the cushions.

"Three-quarters of a grain—a mere pinch on the end of a knife—if given twice a day would have a very decided effect in less than a week," he said slowly. "I told you once that I would not take the trouble to put any of my precious family out of the way; but I didn't mean that I wouldn't lift a finger to stop someone else from killing even the most disagreeable of them. The symptoms, Sergeant, are flushing, puffed eyelids, pain, and nausea."

Odell started from his chair.

"How long have you known this?" he demanded.

"I suspected yesterday; I had only convinced myself when you came."

"And the antidote? Quick! Tell me the antidote!"

"An emetic, anything that will remove it from the system. However, that won't prevent the next dose from being administered." Rannie had dragged himself to his feet. "Bring Cissie in here, if you like. I'll see that no one gets to her, and I guess Dad and I are off your list of suspects