‘I was talking about your lisp just now, doctor. I’ve never noticed it before,’ said Mason again.
‘I haven’t a lisp’—Dr Marford stretched himself luxuriously in his chair—‘and I haven’t any impediment of speech. But, you see, I recognise inevitabilities, and for the last hour and a half I have had in my mouth—it is now between my teeth—a little glass phial of cyanide of potassium—’
Three detectives flung themselves upon him, but it was too late. He shuddered slightly; a spasm of pain passed over his face, and he stiffened. There was no other movement.
Mason looked at him in admiration.
‘Game, eh?’ he said huskily. ‘By God, how game!’
He turned abruptly and walked across to the charge-room, and came, bare-headed, into the street, to breathe the sweet air of morning.
The day was breaking.
THE END
THE DETECTIVE STORY CLUB
LIST OF TITLES
THE PERFECT CRIME • ISRAEL ZANGWILL
CALLED BACK • HUGH CONWAY
THE MYSTERY OF THE SKELETON KEY
BERNARD CAPES
THE GRELL MYSTERY • FRANK FROËST
DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE • R. L. STEVENSON
THE RASP • PHILIP MACDONALD
FURTHER TITLES IN PREPARATION
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The Terror Page 29
