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"Certainly not"

We all trooped out into the corridor, leaving the two doctors alone, and I heard the key turned in the lock behind us

We went slowly down the stairs I was violently excited I have a certain talent for deduction, and Dr Bauerstein's manner had started a flock of wild surmises in my mind Mary Cavendish laid her hand upon my arm

"What is it? Why did Dr Bauerstein seem so--peculiar?"

I looked at her

"Do you knohat I think?"

"What?"

"Listen!" I looked round, the others were out of earshot I lowered my voice to a whisper "I believe she has been poisoned! I'm certain Dr Bauerstein suspects it"

"What?" She shrank against the wall, the pupils of her eyes dilating wildly Then, with a sudden cry that startledfrom oing to faint I found her leaning against the bannisters, deadly pale She waved me away impatiently

"No, no--leave me I'd rather be alone Let me just be quiet for a minute or two Go down to the others"

I obeyed her reluctantly John and Lawrence were in the dining-room I joined thehts of us all when I at last broke it by saying: "Where is Mr Inglethorp?"

John shook his head

"He's not in the house"

Our eyes e and inexplicable I re words What lay beneath them? What more could she have told us, if she had had ti the stairs Dr Wilkins was looking i to conceal an inward exultation under a round, his grave bearded face unchanged Dr Wilkins was the spokesman for the two He addressed himself to John: "Mr Cavendish, I should like your consent to a postravely A spasm of pain crossed his face

"Absolutely," said Dr Bauerstein

"You mean by that----?"

"That neither Dr Wilkins nor ive a death certificate under the circumstances"

John bent his head

"In that case, I have no alternative but to agree"

"Thank you," said Dr Wilkins briskly "We propose that it should take place to-lanced at the daylight "Under the circumstances, I am afraid an inquest can hardly be avoided--these for that you won't distress yourselves"