"Now, Sam, tell Mr. Denton exactly what you have told me," said the detective, after he had stated what had happened.
Sam repeated his story without the slightest variation. Mr. Denton cross-questioned him, but there was nothing further to learn. A boy had handed the box to Sam and told him to give it to Miss Faith Marvin.
After Mr. Denton and the detective had examined the candy carefully they held a consultation as to what should be done about it.
"We must have it analyzed at once," said Mr. Denton, anxiously. "That is the only way of proving the matter."
The detective nodded. He knew that came first, but it needed no analysis to convince him that the candy was poisoned.
"Has she ever received a similar box that you know of?" asked Mr. Denton.
The detective hesitated for a moment. He hardly knew how to tell him.
"I believe she has, sir," he said, after a minute; "but I would advise you to ask the young woman herself, for I can only repeat what may be idle gossip."
"You are right," said Mr. Denton, touching an electric button and sending the boy who answered to the department for Miss Marvin.
In less than five minutes Faith entered the office, but before he came the detective slipped a newspaper over the box of poisoned candy, and a nod of the head showed that Mr. Denton understood and approved of the movement.