this deadly element the maid slept the sleep of the just--and
would have been all right when next I saw her but for the
interference of the unjust on whom I had stolen a march."

Craig paused while the lawyers whispered again to their clients.
Then he continued: "Now three persons in this room had an
opportunity to secrete the contents of this deadly tube in the
crevices of the metal work of Mrs. Close's bed. One of these
persons must have placed an order through a confidential agent in
London to purchase the radium from the English Radium
Corporation. One of these persons had a compelling motive,
something to gain by using this deadly element. The radium in
this tube in the casket was secreted, as I have said, in the
metal work of Mrs. Close's bed, not in large enough quantities to
be immediately fatal, but mixed with dust so as to produce the
result more slowly but no less surely, and thus avoid suspicion.
At the same time Mrs. Close was persuaded--I will not say by
whom--through her natural pride, to take a course of X-ray
treatment for a slight defect. That would further serve to divert
suspicion. The fact is that a more horrible plot could hardly
have been planned or executed. This person sought to ruin her
beauty to gain a most selfish and despicable end."

Again Craig paused to let his words sink into our minds.

"Now I wish to state that anything you gentlemen may say will be
used against you. That is why I have asked you to bring your
attorneys. You may consult with them, of course, while I am
getting ready my next disclosure."