“It is a needle,” said the inspector quietly. “Look at the point of it. A hollow needle, with a remarkably sharp point. Only the thimble prevented it from piercing your finger.
“If you had not worn the thimble on your finger—”
The inspector paused to gaze steadily at the detective. A look of enlightenment was dawning on Cardona’s face.
“If I had not worn the thimble—” came the detective’s words.
“—you would have died as Marchand died!” was the inspector’s ominous reply.
CHAPTER III. KLEIN’S SOLUTION
INSPECTOR TIMOTHY KLEIN stood in the center of Marchand’s room. Hands behind his back, he surveyed a group of men gathered before him.
The group included the four who had found Marchand’s body. With them were the police surgeon and the toxicologist who had been called in by Doctor Lukens.
Joe Cardona was in the background, leaning against the wall.
“So you found the mark on Marchand’s finger?” questioned Klein.