CASE #99

Doctor Chester’s report in part confirmed Henry Hobb’s story. It stated that, while Irma Hobb’s body bore several cuts and bruises, the cause of death was a downward blow on her temple, where she had apparently hit herself on the corner of a mahogany chest. Death had probably resulted an hour afterwards. He could not definitely say there was no poison in the body until after the autopsy.

Hobb and his wife lived in a small house in an isolated part of the country and, so far as anyone knew, enjoyed that greatest of blessings, marital felicity.

One afternoon in late November Hobb rushed to the police station of the small adjacent town and said his wife was dead. He told the officer that on returning home he found Mrs. Hobb, scratched and bruised, lying in a daze on the davenport. He had rushed upstairs to the bathroom for some aromatic spirits of ammonia, hoping thus to arouse her. On returning to the first floor he found her reeling around and before he could catch her she fell forward, striking her temple on the low chest which stood in the hallway. Having no telephone, he tried to revive her with such medicines as were at hand. Failing to do so and finally realizing she was dead, he had gone for the police.

After examining Mrs. Hobb’s nails, Professor Fordney remarked: “Doctor Chester, you will have to revise your report. Hobb will be held!”

Why? Turn page for solution.