The experiment which I have shown you could be
duplicated with specimens of human organs preserved for years in
alcohol in museums. They would burn just as this sponge--the
specimen itself would be very nearly uninjured by the burning of
the alcohol."
"Then, Professor Kennedy, you maintain that my brother did not
meet his death by such an accident" asked James Langley.
"Exactly that, sir," replied Craig. "One of the most important
aspects of the historic faith in this phenomenon is that of its
skilful employment in explaining away what would otherwise appear
to be convincing circumstantial evidence in cases of accusations
of murder."
"Then how do you explain Mr. Langley's death?" demanded
Harrington. "My theory of a spark from a cigar may be true, after
all."
"I am coming to that in a moment," answered Kennedy quietly. "My
first suspicion was aroused by what not even Doctor Putnam seems
to have noticed. The skull of Mr. Langley, charred and consumed
as it was, seemed to show marks of violence. It might have been
from a fracture of the skull or it might have been an accident to
his remains as they were being removed to the anteroom. Again,
his tongue seemed as though it was protruding. That might have
been natural suffocation, or it might have been from forcible
strangulation.
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