"What was the name of the firm?"
"I would not tell everybody, but I know I can trust you to keep a secret. The firm was Alexander & Company, of Rochester, who stand very high in the trade. I buy many things from them, from time to time, and their traveling man, a Mr. Ostrello, gave me the powder when he called. He told me how the firm had experimented on a dog and an ox. Both died in less than two minutes, and each with cramps. But after death neither animal showed the least trace of the poison."
"Wasn't this Ostrello afraid to handle the stuff?"
"Not as much as I was. He said he was a bit used to it. I told him I didn't want to get used to it. Have another glass of wine?"
"No, I prefer to smoke, thanks just the same. I am interested in this yamlang, as you call it. Where can I get the stuff?"
"No more of it can be had. I rather think they got afraid of it. Wait, I'll get the vial it was in. Perhaps there is a whiff left in it."
"Thanks, but do you think I want to die?" queried the detective, and gave a laugh.
When the empty vial was produced he opened it and took a short sniff.
Then he drew his breath in sharply. A faint odor was perceptible, the
same odor he had detected in the carpet on the upper hallway of the
Langmore mansion.
"Do you smell it?" questioned the physician.
"Yes, but not very well. I don't think it will affect me much."