The appearance in question consisted of a very small round white
spot, around which there was a slight equally circular redness. It
was situated nearly in the middle of the body, just below the
meeting of the ribs on the chest, about a broad hand's breadth above
the waistband--in such a position, in short, as to be very nearly at
the point where the neck-opening of the dress ceased.
No second glance was needed, as soon as the Professor's attention
had been called to this appearance, to ensure the riveting of his
attention on it. Nor was much examination necessary to convince him
that he had now, in truth, discovered the cause and the means of
death.
The slight mark in question was, in fact, the trace of a wound
inflicted by a very fine needle, which had pierced the heart, and,
having caused immediate death, had been left in the wound,
ingeniously hidden by means which it needed a second look to
discover. The effect of this discovery on the Professor was
singular. He seemed taken aback by it, and, one would have said,
alarmed at it, in a manner which it seemed difficult for Signor
Fortini to account for. "What is it astonishes you so, Signor
Professore," said he; "surely you were prepared to find that a
murder had been done? I never had any doubt of it; and why not in
that way as well as another? And a very ingenious mode of inflicting
death in a quiet way it seems to be.
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