Page 18 - Murder on the Dirigible

Murder on the Dirigible

MACALLISTER (startled, drops object) What’s the matter with it?

OGLTHORPE: It looks dangerous to me.

METCALF: (takes out handkerchief and picks up object in it) Now,
why would you think that, Mr. Oglethorpe? It’s just an ordinary golf
tee.

OGLETHORPE: Well, they can be pretty sharp when they’re new.

METCALF: Are you an expert on golf tees?

GROSS: (snickers)

OGLETHORPE: I’ve played enough rounds of golf to know what
they’re like.

METCALF: And this one? Is it new?

OGLETHORPE: (looks closely at it) No, I’d say it isn’t new.

METCALF: It looks to me like there’s some sort of dark stuff on the
point. And under that is another layer of gunk. Is that typical of old
golf tees, Mr. Oglethorpe?

OGLETHORPE: Uh, no. You might see a little dirt or grass, though.

METCALF: I can tell you what one of these substances is; I’ve seen
it often enough. Dried blood. (gasps from others) But I can’t figure
out what this other stuff is under it. Any ideas?

OGLETHORPE: (reluctantly) I’m afraid so. It’s curare.

METCALF: What the hell is that?

OGLETHORPE: A poison used by natives in the Amazon jungle.
They coat their arrowheads with it. It totally relaxes the muscles,
leading to asphyxiation.

METCALF: (scratches head) Mr. Oglethorpe, will you please explain
to me how the dickens you know that?

17