sheath a slender piece of metal nine inches long. It was thinner than an average hat-pin, rigid and

needle-pointed.

Instantly I knew that I was looking upon the instrument that had pierced Ricori's heart!

"Another outrage!" McCann drawled. "Maybe I put it there, Doc!"

"You could have, McCann."

He laughed. I studied the queer blade-for blade it surely was. It appeared to be of finest steel, although I

was not sure it was that metal. Its rigidity was like none I knew. The little knob at the head was half an

inch in diameter and less like a pinhead than the haft of a poniard. Under the magnifying glass it showed

small grooves upon it…as though to make sure the grip of a hand…a doll's hand a doll's dagger! There

were stains upon it.