“She smell ver’ lak garlic,” Sam declared a minute later, and, after a third trial, Jack corroborated his assertion.
“That settles it beyond the shadow of a doubt,” Bob said. “It’s arsenic.”
“You’re sure?” Jack asked.
“Of course I’m sure. What do you suppose I’ve studied chemistry for?”
“She ver’ pisen, dat arsenic,” Sam declared, shaking his head.
“Indeed it is,” Bob said. “It’s a wonder they didn’t all die.”
“Well, it seems that we’ve found out the how and now to find the who,” Jack said as they returned to the shed.
By repeating Sam’s sifting process Bob secured about two tablespoons full of the white powder, which he had declared to be arsenic. This he put in a small bottle which the cook had given him.
“I want you both to remember that you saw me get this stuff out of these oats,” he told Jack and Sam. “If this ever gets to court it will be a mighty important piece of evidence.”
The boys did not expect Tom back until late at night, and he had said that he might not return before the next day. So they cautioned Sam to say nothing about what they had discovered, thinking it best to keep the knowledge to themselves until they had asked Tom’s advice.