This, as Grover talked, Roger carefully placed in the chemical solution, and they all watched in absorbed attentiveness.
“If my hand has discharged any weapon or in any other way has gotten the peculiar gases of powder combustion on it, within the past five days, the acid and solution will bring up the stains as bluish discolorations on the wax.”
No such spots appeared.
Although a tedious operation to carry out for the Tibetan trio, and then, by their own insistence, for Doctor Ryder, Clark, Tip and Roger, the results in each case held them in suspense until there was clear exoneration of all.
“But Ellison hasn’t submitted yet,” said Tip, suddenly.
“Because I have handled chemicals in my work that may come out in the reaction,” Ellison frowned.
Nevertheless, though he declared that his work had brought out the stains that showed as small blue spots and smears within his mould, everybody felt that he ought to know what he declared he did not—where was the star-scientist?
Chapter 24
AN IMPOSSIBLE CAMERA “SHOT”
Grilled by the detective and the policemen, Ellison stubbornly protested his ignorance of the whereabouts of the former astrologer.
He could not establish an “alibi” further than his recent call at Grover’s home which the excited sister of the laboratory head was eager to verify.