"Is it possible that death may have been caused by foul means, yet
by such as may elude your investigation?" asked Fortini.
"I think not--I should say almost certainly not in such a case as
the present. There are poisons that act subtly and instantaneously,
but there is the odour in most cases,--in almost all some indication
of their operation on the organization."
Arrived at the hospital they found a couple of assistants, pupils of
the Professor, awaiting his arrival. There was also an official on
the part of the police, and there were two or three persons waiting
in the hope of being allowed to be present at the examination. The
police officer, however, very summarily declared that this could not
be permitted. Fortini was so well known, and held such a kind of
half-official position and character in the city, that he passed on
unquestioned on the arm of the Professor.
The body lay exactly as it had been brought in by the labouring-men
who had found it in the Pineta. The beautiful face was perfectly
calm, and in the lineaments of it the difference that there is
between death and sleep was scarcely perceptible. The white dress
was almost as unruffled and as spotless as when she had put it on.
It had been fastened about midway between the neck and the waist by
a diamond pin or brooch; but this fastening was now undone, and the
brooch was hanging loosely on one side of the bosom of the dress.
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