Read Online Waiting for Orders by Eric Ambler - Free Book Online Page B

one solemn finger. ‘According to the medical evidence given at the inquest, arsenic was found in the liver, kidneys, and spleen. No?’
    Mercer nodded firmly. ‘1.751 grains. That shows that much more than a fatal dose had been administered. Much more.’
    Dr Czissar’s eyes gleamed. ‘Ah, yes. Much more. It is odd, is it not, that so much was found in the kidneys?’
    ‘Nothing odd at all about it.’
    ‘Let us leave the point for the moment. Is it not true, Assistant-Commissioner Mercer, that all post-mortem tests for arsenic are for arsenic itself and not for any particular arsenic salt?’
    Mercer frowned. ‘Yes, but it’s unimportant. All arsenic salts are deadly poisons. Besides, when arsenic is absorbed by the human body, it turns to the sulphide. I don’t see what you’re driving at, Doctor.’
    ‘My point is, Assistant-Commissioner, that usually it is impossible to tell from a delayed autopsy which form of arsenic was used to poison the body. You agree? It might be arsenious oxide or one of the arsenates or arsenites; copper arsenite, for instance; or it might be a chloride or it might be an organic compound of arsenic. No?’
    ‘Precisely.’
    ‘But,’ continued Dr Czissar, ‘what sort of arsenic should we expect to find in a hospital, eh?’
    Mercer pursed his lips. ‘I see no harm in telling you, Doctor, that Harold Medley could easily have secured supplies of either salvarsan or neosalvarsan. They are both important drugs.’
    ‘Ehrlich’s 606 and 914! Yes, indeed!’ said Dr Czissar. He stared at the ceiling. ‘Have you seen any of Helena Murlin’s paintings, Assistant-Commissioner?’
    The sudden change of subject took Mercer unawares. He hesitated. Then: ‘Oh, you mean Mrs Medley. No, I haven’t seen any of her paintings.’
    ‘Such a
chic
, attractive woman,’ said Dr Czissar. ‘After I had seen her at the inquest I could not help wishing to see some ofher work. I found some in a gallery near Bond Street.’ He sighed. ‘I had expected something clever, but I was disappointed. She is one of those who paint what they think instead of what is.’
    ‘Really? I’m afraid, Doctor, that I must – ’
    ‘I felt,’ persisted Dr Czissar, bringing his cow-like eyes once more to the level of Mercer’s, ‘that the thoughts of a woman who thinks of a field as blue and of a sky as emerald green must be a little strange.’
    ‘Modern stuff, eh?’ said Mercer. ‘And now, Doctor, if you’ve finished, I’ll ask you to excuse me. I – ’
    ‘Oh, but I have not finished yet,’ said Dr Czissar kindly. ‘I think, Assistant-Commissioner, that a woman who paints a landscape with a green sky is not only strange but also interesting, don’t you? I asked the gentleman at the gallery about her. She produces only a few pictures – about six a year. She earns, perhaps, £100 a year from her work. It is wonderful how expensively she dresses on that sum.’
    ‘She had a rich husband.’
    ‘Oh, yes. A curious household, don’t you think? The daughter Janet is especially curious. I was so sorry that she was so much upset by the evidence at the inquest.’
    ‘A young woman probably would be upset at the idea of her brother’s being a murderer,’ said Mercer drily.
    ‘But to accuse herself so violently of the murder.’
    ‘Hysteria. You get a lot of it in murder cases.’ Mercer stood up and held out his hand. ‘Well, Doctor, I’m sorry you haven’t been able to upset our case this time. If you’ll leave your address with the Sergeant as you go, I’ll see that you get a pass for the trial,’ he added with relish.
    But Dr Czissar did not move. ‘You are going to try this young man for murder, then?’ he said slowly. ‘You have not understood that at which I have been hinting?’
    Mercer grinned. ‘We’ve got something better than hints, Doctor – a first-class circumstantial case against young Medley. Motive, time and method of administration, source of the poison. Concrete