Please keep this to yourself for the present.”
Tommy let the note drop, but picked it up quickly.
“Ricin,” he murmured. “Know anything about it, Tuppence? You used to be rather well up in these things.”
“Ricin,” said Tuppence, thoughtfully. “You get it out of Castor Oil, I believe.”
“I never did take kindly to Castor Oil,” said Tommy. “I am more set against it than ever now.”
“The oil’s all right. You get Ricin from the seeds of the Castor Oil plant. I believe I saw some Castor Oil plants in the garden this morning—big things with glossy leaves.”
“You mean that someone extracted the stuff on the premises. Could Hannah do such a thing?”
Tuppence shook her head.
“Doesn’t seem likely. She wouldn’t know enough.”
Suddenly Tommy gave an exclamation.
“That book. Have I got it in my pocket still? Yes.” He took it out, and turned over the leaves vehemently. “I thought so. Here’s the page it was open at this morning. Do you see, Tuppence? Ricin!”
Tuppence seized the book from him.
“Can you make head or tail of it? I can’t.”
“It’s clear enough to me,” said Tuppence. She walked along, reading busily, with one hand on Tommy’s arm to steer herself. Presently she shut the book with a bang. They were just approaching the house again.