"That blade was poisoned," he concluded quietly. "We have a clue
to your missing dagger. Mendoza was murdered by it!"




II

THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE


"I should like to have another talk with Senorita Inez," remarked
Kennedy, a few minutes later, as with Dr. Leslie and Professor
Norton we turned into the living room and closed the door to the
den.

While Norton volunteered to send one of the servants in to see
whether the young lady was able to stand the strain of another
interview, Dr. Leslie received a hurry call to another case.

"You'll let me know, Kennedy, if you discover anything?" he asked,
shaking hands with us. "I shall keep you informed, also, from my
end. That poison completely baffles me--so far. You know, we might
as well work together."

"Assuredly," agreed Craig, as the coroner left. "That," he added
to me, as the door closed, "was one word for me and two for
himself. I can do the work; he wants to save his official face. He
never will know what that poison was--until I tell him."