FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142  
143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   >>   >|  
rosi, and is certainly a most dangerous poison in the hands of anyone with criminal intent, because no post-mortem examination known to the medical profession to-day would be able to detect whether the victim had been murdered or died of natural causes." "It astounds me!" I gasped. "No doubt. But to me, of course, it is a most interesting piece of research," and the professor went on: "I have never met this substance before, though I had heard whispers of it. Professor Orosi, who lived in Cologne a few years ago and is now dead, produced this poison quite accidentally, and among his intimate friends disclosed its existence, though he had no idea how to test for it with certainty. For five years all toxicologists made constant tests until apparently quite by accident Professor Sonnenschein, of Hanover, discovered the reagent which would reveal the actual glucosid, and determine its identity. It gives a yellowish-white precipitate," he added, holding up for my inspection a small test-tube containing a liquid of the colour he had indicated. "Marvellous!" I exclaimed. "I had no idea that medical science could carry inquiries so far. I know that in criminal cases in London our pathologists, with their mirror-tests for arsenic, fix the guilt upon poisoners in a manner most amazing. But I have never heard of this secret and most subtle poison which was placed beside my bed, the intention being for me to tread upon the impregnated pin." "And if you had done so you would have been taken with a sudden fatal seizure, the cause of which would never have been detected." "You mean I should have died of poison?" "You certainly would. No medical aid would have been of any avail, for orosin is the most deadly substance which has ever been discovered. It is indeed good for humanity that it is known to only a few toxicologists, but that in itself reveals the fact, monsieur, that an exceedingly clever and secret attack has been made upon your life. A single puncture of the skin with one or other of those pins which were placed so conveniently at your bedside when you sprang out to meet the intruder, and you would by this time have been buried as one whose death had been due to natural causes!" I held my breath. This declaration by one of the greatest professors of toxicology in Europe staggered me. A dastardly attempt had been made upon me by one of the most notorious of modern criminals! Why? No attempt at assassination
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142  
143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
poison
 

medical

 

substance

 
Professor
 

discovered

 

secret

 

toxicologists

 

natural

 

criminal

 

attempt


assassination

 
detected
 

seizure

 
notorious
 
sudden
 

staggered

 

Europe

 

deadly

 

dastardly

 

orosin


intention

 

modern

 

criminals

 

impregnated

 

manner

 
poisoners
 

amazing

 

subtle

 

humanity

 

single


puncture

 

conveniently

 
bedside
 

intruder

 

buried

 

attack

 

greatest

 

reveals

 

professors

 

sprang


toxicology
 
declaration
 

exceedingly

 

clever

 

monsieur

 
breath
 

whispers

 
research
 
professor
 

Cologne