Here were silver
lanterns, and many silken cushions, out of which, as from a sea
of colour, arose slender pillars, the scheme possessing an air of
exotic luxury peculiarly Oriental.
Seated in a carved chair over which a leopard skin had been
thrown, and talking earnestly to some invisible companion, whose
conversation seemed wholly to enthrall her, was Phil Abingdon!
CHAPTER XXVI. THE ORCHID OF SLEEP
"My God!" cried Innes, "here is proof that the chief was right!"
Wessex nodded in silent agreement. On the table lay the report of
Merton, the analyst, concerning the stains upon the serviette
which Harley had sent from the house of the late Sir Charles
Abingdon. Briefly, it stated that the serviette had been
sprinkled with some essential oil, the exact character of which
Merton had found himself unable to determine, its perfume, if it
ever possessed any, having disappeared. And the minute quantity
obtainable from the linen rendered ordinary tests difficult to
apply. The analyst's report, however, concluded as follows:
"Mr. Harley, having foreseen these difficulties, and having
apparently suspected that the oil was of Oriental origin,
recommended me, in the note which he enclosed with the serviette,
to confer with Dr. Warwick Grey. I send a copy of a highly
interesting letter which I have received from Doctor Grey, whose
knowledge of Eastern poison is unparalleled, and to whose opinion
I attach immense importance.
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