nd very little trace of the poison," said the
colonel. "The kind they use is designed to disappear almost as soon as
it becomes effective. Still you may discover something."

But Doctor Warren did not. Aside from a little scratch near the
prisoner's heart, where he had evidently dug the needle deep into his
skin, there was no sign that death was other than by natural causes.
The poison had gone directly into the blood, as does the venom of a
snake, and had brought death in the same way. In fact, it was the
opinion of Colonel Ashley that some form of snake poison was used,
though what it was, no one could say.

And so passed out and beyond Singa Phut, and the charge of murder,
having been quashed by a higher tribunal than that of the county court,
the matter was soon forgotten.

The colonel's theory, that some fellow countryman had supplied the East
Indian means of escaping the electric chair, was generally accepted.
And that Singa Phut was guilty of having killed his partner in a sudden
fit of passion following one of their frequent quarrels was also
believed by those who cared to exercise any thought in the matter.

"But what gets me, though," said the colonel, "is where does Singa Phut
fit in with the watch in Mrs. Darcy's hand. That watch! Ah, there's a
link I haven't had time to examine as I'd like to. I must see to it."

The colonel fell into a reverie. His eyes went to the closet where he
had put away his fishing rods.

"Oh, friend Izaak!" he murmured, "How basely I have deserted you! But
I'm coming back. Yes, I'll stop this detective work. I'll wire for
Kedge to-night to come on and take up the case. He can do it as well
as I. I'll get Kedge!"

He started for the telephone to dictate a telegram. And then, as he
chanced to look out of the window, a different expression came into his
face.

Down on the sidewalk he saw Amy Mason walking slowly along. The girl's
pretty face was drawn and careworn. Evidently the anxiety over Darcy
was beginning to tell on her.

The old detective shook his head slowly.

"Oh, I suppose I can't back out now," he sighed. "I've gone too far.
It would look like quitting, and I never was a quitter!"

He straightened up to his soldierly height.

"Besides," he went on, "Kedge would only mix matters up now. He
wouldn't know what to do, even if I told him. Kedge is all right for
some things, but-- Oh, well, I'll keep on with the case!"

This was the day follo