notes and occupied the witness chair, after first being
sworn. The preliminaries did not consume much time, and Penfield's
manner was brisk as he addressed his assistant.

"Did you make a post-mortem examination of Turnbull?" he asked.

"I did, sir, in the presence of the morgue master and Dr. McLane." Dr.
Mayo displayed an anatomical chart, drawing his pencil down it as he
talked. "We found from the condition of the heart that the deceased had
suffered from angina pectoris"--he paused and spoke more slowly--"in
examining the gastric contents we found the presence of aconitine."

"Aconitine?" questioned Penfield, and the reporters, scenting the
sensational, leaned forward eagerly so as not to miss the deputy
coroner's answer.

"Aconitine, an active poison," he explained. "It is the alkaloid of
aconite, and generally fatal in its results."

CHAPTER X. AT THE CLUB DE VINGT

The large building of the popular Club de Vingt, or as one Washingtonian
put it, the "Club De Vin," which had sprung into existence in the
National Capital during the war, was ablaze with light and Benjamin
Clymer, sitting at a small table in one corner of the dining-room,
wished most heartily that it had been less crowded. Many dinner-parties
were being given that night, and it was only by dint of perseverance and
a Treasury note that he had finally induced the head waiter to put in an
extra table for him and his guest, Harry Kent. Kent had been very late
and, to add to his short-comings, had been silent, not to say morose,
during dinner. Clymer heaved a sigh of relief when the table was cleared
and coffee and cigars placed before them.

Kent roused himself from his abstraction. "We cannot talk here," he
said, looking at the gay diners who surrounded them. "And I have several
important matters to discuss with you, Mr. Clymer."

His remark was overheard by their waiter, and he stopped pouring out
Kent's coffee.

"There is a small smoking room to the right of the dining room," he
suggested. "I passed there but a moment ago and it was not occupied. If
you desire, sir, I will serve coffee there."

"An excellent idea." Clymer rose quickly and he and Kent followed the
waiter to the inclosed porch which had been converted into an attractive
lounging room for the club members. It was much cooler than the
over-heated dining room, and Kent was grateful for the subdued light
given out by the artistically shaded lamps with which it was furnished.