"Until lately, however, science was powerless against the
bomb-thrower. A bomb explodes into a thousand parts, and its
contents suddenly become gaseous. You can't collect and investigate
the gases. Still, the bomb-thrower is sadly deceived if he believes
the bomb leaves no trace for the scientific detective. It is
difficult for the chemist to find out the secrets of a shattered
bomb. But it can be done.
"I examined the walls of Dr. Kharkoff's house, and fortunately
was able to pick out a few small fragments of the contents of the
bomb which had been thrown out before the flame ignited them. I
have analysed them, and find them to be a peculiar species of
blasting-gelatine. It is made at only one factory in this country,
and I have a list of purchasers for some time back. One name, or
rather the description of an assumed name, in the list agrees with
other evidence I have been able to collect. Moreover, the explosive
was placed in a lead tube. Lead tubes are common enough. However,
there is no need of further evidence."
He paused, and the revolutionists stared fixedly at the fragments
of the now harmless bomb before them.
"The exploded bomb," concluded Craig, "was composed of the same
materials as this, which I found unexploded at the door of Miss
Nevsky's room - the same sort of lead tube, the same
blasting-gelatine.
Pages:
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113