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By Root 446 0

aniline dyes and synthesized medicines. As you may know, mauve, the first synthesized coal tar dye, was discovered quite by accident in 1856, while the Englishman, Perkin, was attempting to synthesize quinine. Three years ago, the most effective antipyretic we have was discovered by two German interns who used a mislabeled jar of naphthalene while experimenting on treatments of intestinal parasites. The substance, which reduced fevers, but did nothing to the parasites, turned out not to be naphthalene, but acetanilide, a commonly used aniline dye intermediate made by the Kalle Company. Kalle had no previous experience in pharmaceuticals, but immediately sought a patent, and so we now have Antifebrin. Bayer, another dye works and one of Kalle’s competitors, then also began experimenting heavily in medicines. Two years ago, they thought they had stumbled on a pain reliever, which they called phenacetin, but it was found to cause kidney failure. Diacetylmorphine is obviously one of the substances with which they are currently working.”

“But they responded to my cable denying any such work.”

“That is hardly surprising, Doctor,” said Halsted. “There are millions to be made in pharmaceuticals. We are dealing with easily synthesized substances here. The trick is to find one that works before your competitors. If diacetylmorphine is seen to have medicinal properties, whoever acquires the patent will accrue all the profits. Bayer would never chance alerting any potential challenger to its researches.”

“Then how did Turk get it?”

“Drugs are like a leaky roof, Ephraim,” said the Professor. “Water always finds the hole. In this case, someone at Bayer must have been stealing a supply of the drug and either he or a confederate had the foresight to ship it to America, where demand is always high and German authorities would have no power.”

I turned my attention back to Halsted. “But isn’t diacetylmorphine addicting in its own right?”

“The evidence is not clear,” replied Halsted. “I am able to maintain equilibrium on a substantially more modest dose than of morphia, so it is quite possible that it can be used safely for clinical purposes. Addiction tends to be progressive, however, so there is no telling what the future holds.”

“We are dealing with that issue in Dr. Halsted’s case,” said the Professor, “as you will see.” I thought we would move on from there, but the Professor had not forgotten. “So, Ephraim, how did you come up with the Bayer Company?”

I had no choice at that point than to admit that I had not simply found a key and turned it over to the police, but had visited the den on Wharf Lane before the police. I told them of the discovery of the hidden compartment and finding the drugs and the weapons inside. I did not mention the journal. I wanted to decipher the entries before I divulged its existence to anyone.

They both listened, rapt. When I was done, the Professor sighed and shook his head. “Ephraim,” he said. “We have underestimated you. You’ve been cleverer than we supposed—and a good deal more reckless. You must have had the devil of a time of it, juggling the police, Miss Benedict, Jonas Lachtmann, and us.”

“It has been something of a strain,” I admitted, but I was also feeling more than a little self-important at having impressed Halsted and the Professor with my sleuthing.

“Well, Ephraim, I think you can relax now. Perhaps we should allow Dr. Halsted to finish.”

Halsted nodded and took another sip of tea. He was methodical in his movements, almost practiced, as if he had taught himself to think through even the simplest action before actually performing it. “During one of my visits to Turk,” he went on, “he informed me that he knew that I was a surgeon of some repute. At the time, I could not imagine how he had come on such knowledge. I was making only occasional visits to Philadelphia and had in no way identified myself. Now, of course, it is clear from whence this bit of knowledge emanated.

“As a price for his silence—and an uninterrupted supply of the drug—Turk demanded that I perform certain services