"What was your object in trying to rub out a blood stain on the front of Mr. Spencer's white shirt, Miss Whitney, while you were in the elevator?" asked Penfield.
Kathleen looked at him dully. "Wh-what d-did you say?" she stuttered.
For answer Penfield took from the pile of clothing on the table a white shirt and pointed to a discoloration on its glazed surface.
"When I first saw this shirt on Mr. Spencer it reeked of perfume," he said sternly. "Submitted to chemical tests, I find a blood stain was partially removed by azurea. Again I ask, what was your object in attempting to remove the blood stain?"
But Penfield spoke to deaf ears. Kathleen had fainted. Excitement waxed high in the room as Kathleen was carried out by Charles Miller, the first to reach her side, and placed in the tender care of Mrs. Whitney and the trained nurse. Waiting only to see her brought back to consciousness by Dr. Hall, Miller slipped back into the inquest room. Detective Mitchell was again in the witness chair.
"You made a thorough examination of Miss Whitney's room?" inquired the coroner.
"Yes, Doctor."
"And what did you find?"
"This torn note"—and the detective held up the pieces in each hand.
"Read its contents aloud," ordered Penfield.