“With another doctor, that would probably have ended the matter. But Lukens is so thorough that he looked for something else.
“He conferred with the police surgeon. They brought in a toxicologist. They are convinced that Marchand’s death was caused by some unusual poison. They have not yet discovered the mode of application.”
INSPECTOR KLEIN looked around the room as though seeking some spot in which a concealed person might be present. The detective smiled.
“We’ve searched this place thoroughly,” he said. “Willis and Oscar helped us. It’s lucky that they did. See that closet door?”
The inspector nodded.
“Unless you turn the knob twice before you pull the door,” said Cardona, “you will get a face full of tear gas. Just a little idea of Marchand’s. He has an alarm wired to the knob of the safe.”
“This desk?”
“Unprotected. But look at the clever construction of this drawer.”
Cardona pressed the drawer inward. There was a sharp click. The detective jumped back instinctively.
Then he looked closely at the desk.