A Whiff of Death
The quiet of a university campus is broken when death makes an unexpected visit. A student lies still in his laboratory, and the air carries a scent that speaks of poison. Professor Brade, the man who found him, stands amidst this sudden silence, his mind struggling to grasp the enormity of the event. The initial moments are filled with a stark reality – a life extinguished too soon, and a puzzle beginning to form.
Dr. Shulter, the medical examiner, confirms the grim suspicion: cyanide. His words, "Well, this will make a stink," hint at the ripples this event will send through the academic community. Even in these early moments, character begins to emerge. Shulter’s annoyance at the deceased for his overdue library books offers a glimpse into the everyday frustrations that persist even in the face of tragedy.
For Professor Brade, the situation is fraught with a different kind of tension. He finds himself carefully choosing his words when questioned. The blunt remark by Doheny, a plainclothesman, that Brade is "in trouble" if negligence is suspected, raises the stakes. Brade’s defense, comparing poisonous chemicals to a loaded gun that a careful person avoids harming themselves with, reveals his attempt to downplay any potential responsibility.
The narrative begins to weave in details about the deceased, Ralph Neufeld. He was alone in the lab on the day he died. He was also described as an "excellent" student. This makes the question posed by Doheny all the more unsettling: how could such a capable student make a fatal mistake with a substance as recognizable as cyanide? The detective’s seemingly artless questions hint at a suspicion that goes beyond a simple accident.
The idea of access to the laboratory and the cyanide becomes significant. Brade admits that the cyanide was not locked up. He also mentions that Ralph had a key to the lab. Doheny’s advice, offered as a layman, to "keep the cyanide locked up" underscores the perceived laxity and the potential for future trouble.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the story subtly introduces the pressures within the academic world. Brade's thoughts turn to his stalled career, the "magic boundary line" separating him from the security of tenure as an associate professor. He fears that this incident will further diminish his chances of crossing that line. This personal vulnerability adds another layer to his reaction to the student's death.
The reactions of others also provide clues. Brade’s wife, Doris, is immediately concerned about the implications of the death. Her almost abrupt statement, "I heard about it. How awful!" suggests a pragmatic approach to the situation, perhaps anticipating the potential fallout. Her urging Brade to get someone else to finish Ralph’s work and her reminder of his responsibilities to himself and his family highlight her concern for their security.
Even Brade’s daughter, Ginny, senses the unease, asking if Professor Littleby had fired him. This childlike perception indicates that the atmosphere surrounding the event is palpable. Doris’s pointed questions about whether Brade has been telling anyone about the death and her accusation that he is "mad" underscore her fear of scandal and its impact on his prospects.
The differing perspectives on the cause of death create immediate conflict. Brade finds it difficult to accept the idea of a simple accident, logically dismantling the possibility that Ralph could have mistakenly used cyanide instead of acetate. Doris, on the other hand, vehemently argues for the accident theory, emphasizing the human fallibility of even the most careful chemist. Their contrasting viewpoints lay the groundwork for a deeper investigation into what truly happened.
The introduction of Cap Anson, Brade’s former mentor, adds another dimension. Anson is portrayed as an intensely focused and somewhat eccentric figure, deeply engrossed in his work. His punctuality and dedication to his manuscript are almost obsessive. Brade's guilt at missing their appointment due to the discovery of the body illustrates the clash between the ordinary demands of life and the extraordinary intrusion of death.
The head of the department, Professor Littleby, also enters the scene. His primary concern appears to be the reputation of the school and the department. His dismissive description of Ralph as a "misfit" and his focus on whether proper safety precautions were in place suggest a desire to manage the situation and minimize any negative publicity.
The narrative carefully introduces other students, such as Simpson and Emmett. Simpson’s unease about working in the lab where Ralph died and his request for a different space hints at the psychological impact of the event. Brade's realization that Simpson also had a key to the laboratory broadens the scope of potential access.
As the story unfolds, the initial shock gives way to a growing sense of unease and suspicion. Brade’s internal debate about whether to reveal his doubts about an accident, coupled with his wife's strong opposition to any action that might jeopardize his tenure, creates a significant internal conflict. The question of whether this was an accident, a suicide, or something more sinister begins to take center stage.
The arrival of Detective Doheny marks a shift towards a more formal investigation. His seemingly casual questions and observations betray a keen eye for detail and a mind actively seeking inconsistencies. His interest in Brade’s movements and his master key suggests that the professor himself is not beyond suspicion.
The story is building from a point of sudden, unexpected death in an academic setting. The initial reactions of those involved reveal their priorities and hint at potential underlying tensions. The seemingly simple question of how a student died alone in a lab quickly becomes complicated by conflicting interpretations and the introduction of various individuals with their own concerns and potential connections to the event. The narrative is leading towards a deeper exploration of the circumstances surrounding Ralph Neufeld’s death, with suspicion and uncertainty as the driving forces. Like a carefully constructed chemical reaction, the elements have been introduced, and the conditions are set for something significant to occur. The simple words and logical progression of events create a sense of foreboding, leaving the reader to ponder the true nature of the "whiff of death" that now permeates the university.
