“At that same time, Mrs. Close began a series of treatments with an X-ray specialist in New York,” pursued Kennedy.  “Now, it is not generally known outside scientific circles, but the fact is that in their physiological effects the X-ray and radium are quite one and the same.  Radium possesses this advantage, however, that no elaborate apparatus is necessary for its use.  And, in addition, the emanation from radium is steady and constant, whereas the X-ray at best varies slightly with changing conditions of the current and vacuum in the X-ray tube.  Still, the effects on the body are much the same.

“A few days before this order was placed I recall the following despatch which appeared in the New York papers.  I will read it: 

* * * * *

“’Liege, Belgium, Oct.—­, 1910.  What is believed to be the first criminal case in which radium figures as a death-dealing agent is engaging public attention at this university town.  A wealthy old bachelor, Pailin by name, was found dead in his flat.  A stroke of apoplexy was at first believed to have caused his death, but a close examination revealed a curious discoloration of his skin.  A specialist called in to view the body gave as his opinion that the old man had been exposed for a long time to the emanations of X-ray or radium.  The police theory is that M. Pailin was done to death by a systematic application of either X-ray or radium by a student in the university who roomed next to him.  The student has disappeared.’

* * * * *

“Now here, I believe, was the suggestion which this American criminal followed, for I cut it out of the paper rather expecting sooner or later that some clever person would act on it.  I have thoroughly examined the room of Mrs. Close.  She herself told me she never wanted to return to it, that her memory of sleepless nights in it was too vivid.  That served to fix the impression that I had already formed from reading this clipping.  Either the X-ray or radium had caused her dermatitis and nervousness.  Which was it?  I wished to be sure that I would make no mistake.  Of course I knew it was useless to look for an X-ray machine in or near Mrs. Close’s room.  Such a thing could never have been concealed.  The alternative?  Radium!  Ah! that was different.  I determined on an experiment.  Mrs. Close’s maid was prevailed on to sleep in her mistress’s room.  Of course radiations of brief duration would do her no permanent harm, although they would produce their effect, nevertheless.  In one night the maid became extremely nervous.  If she had stayed under them several nights no doubt the beginning of a dermatitis would have affected her, if not more serious trouble.  A systematic application, covering weeks and months, might in the end even have led to death.