`My friend Mr. Hogenauer gave me this, and assured me it was ordinary bromide. I do not believe him. I think he has tried to give me a sleeping-powder and insisted that I take it. I have tasted the powder, and it is bitter. That means it is veronal'."
I whistled.
"Veronal! And that's why he took it as meek as a lamb!"
Stone was exasperated. "You say this and that. You say it might be this or that, but still you're not making much sense that I can see — Why don't you settle it? Why the devil don't you open the envelope?"
Murchison nodded.
"Yes. He told me to come her; to-morrow morning and open the envelope to `see fair play.' That's what I'm worried about-"
With a quick gesture he tore open the envelope.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The Return of L
Inside were folded several thick sheets of paper, covered with a large and spidery, but very clear handwriting. Murchison glanced at the first few lines, and his expression altered.