Ahri obeyed the request, and then softly left the room.
“Mr. Loria,” said Stone, directly, “there is no use wasting words, we are here to accuse you of the murder of your aunt and the attempted murder of your cousin.”
Carr Loria’s face blanched, but he tried to put on a bold front.
“What do you mean by this nonsense? Is it a joke?”
“By no means; I have all the proofs of your crimes and I ask you if you will confess here, or to the Police?”
“Friend Pitts, I believe, is connected with the Police,” and Loria laughed grimly.
“Yes, he is. Have you anything to say?”
“Only to deny your accusations. Except that it’s too absurd even to deny such foolish talk. What do you mean anyway?”
“That you poisoned Miss Lucy Carrington, wilfully and purposely, by sending her a dose of powdered aconite, under the pretense of its being a beauty charm that would bring fairness and youth to her plain face.”
Carr Loria’s jaw dropped. He looked at Stone as if at something supernatural. “W—what?” he stammered.