"This is a cool request, considering that you are a comparative stranger to me."
"But consider the peculiar circumstances," said James Cromwell, significantly.
"What peculiar circumstances?" demanded the merchant, desperately.
"Shall I mention them?" asked Cromwell, pointedly.
"If you want me to understand, yes. You are talking in enigmas, and I never was good at understanding enigmas."
"Then," said James Cromwell, leaning slightly forward, and looking intently at Mr. Morton, "may I ask to what use you have put the subtle poison which you purchased of me ten days since?"
The color rushed to Paul Morton's face at this direct interrogation.
"Yes, you certainly have not forgotten the purchase."
"I think you must be mistaken in the person."
"Suppose that I did buy poison, how should you identify me with the purchaser, and how came you to know where I lived?"
"I sent a boy to follow you home," said Cromwell.
"Why not? We have no curiosity about our ordinary customers, but when a person makes such a purchase as you did, we feel inclined to learn all we can about him."
"A praiseworthy precaution! Well, I admit that I did buy the poison. What then?"
"I asked to what purpose you had put it?"
"Very well, I have no objection to tell you, although I deny your right to intrude in my private affairs, which I regard as a piece of gross impertinence. I bought it, as I think I stated to you at the time, at the request and for the use of a friend."
"Would you tell me the friend's name?" asked the clerk, imperturbably.
"None of your business," exclaimed the merchant, passionately.
"I beg your pardon, but I was blamed by my employer for not taking down the name of the purchaser, and I told him in return that I would gather full particulars."
"You may tell him it is all right. He must have heard of me and of my firm, and that will satisfy him."
"But the name of this gentleman in Thirty-seventh Street----"
"_Has there been a death in his family within ten days?_" asked the clerk in quiet tones, but there was a significance in them which sent a thrill through the frame of his listener.
"I will tell you," said James Cromwell, boldly throwing off his reserve. "It is as well to be frank, and there is no use in mincing matters. I do not believe this story of the man in Thirty-seventh Street. I think you bought the article for your own use. Since the purchase there has been a death in your house."