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SITTIG’S HANDBOOK OF TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS
CHEMICALS AND CARCINOGENS

Seventh Edition

Volume 1: A
D
This page intentionally left blank
 SITTIG’S HANDBOOK OF
TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS
CHEMICALS AND CARCINOGENS

Seventh Edition

Volume 1: A
D

Richard P. Pohanish
William Andrew is an imprint of Elsevier
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1GB, United Kingdom
50 Hampshire Street, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
Fifth edition 2008
Sixth edition 2012

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
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organizations such as the Copyright Clearance Center and the Copyright Licensing Agency, can be found at our website:
www.elsevier.com/permissions.
This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the Publisher (other than as may be
noted herein).
Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding,
changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.
Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any
information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be
mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.
To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors, assume any liability for any
injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or
operation of any methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.

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A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress
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Typeset by MPS Limited, Chennai, India
 NOTICE TO BE READ BY ALL USERS OF THIS PUBLICATION
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this work and, to the best knowledge of the Publisher and the
Editors, the information contained herein is factual and accurate and the opinions expressed are those of qualified
experts. The data are not to be taken as a warranty or representation for which the Publisher or Editors assumes
legal responsibility. Furthermore, the Publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy or
completeness of, or consequences from, such information. Data are offered in this work are solely for your con-
sideration, investigation, and verification. Mention of trade names or commercial products in the work does not
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the Publisher or Editors.

This reference work is intended to provide information about chemical hazards and guidelines for those trained
in the use and storage of hazardous materials, as well as those trained to respond to spills, leaks, and accidents
involving those materials. The work is not intended as a primary source of research information. As with any ref-
erence, it cannot include all information or discuss all situations that might occur. It cannot be assumed that all
necessary warnings and precautionary measures are contained in this work; other, or additional, information or
assessments may be required. Most of all, it cannot replace the expertise, and experience of trained professionals
or qualified responders.

As information may not be available for some chemicals, an absence of data does not necessarily mean that
a substance is not hazardous. For major incidents, it will be necessary to obtain additional detailed information
from other resources as well as more expertise from those with extensive training. Neither the Publisher nor the
Editors assume any liability or responsibility for completeness or accuracy of the information presented or any
damages of any kind alleged to result in connection with, or arising from, the use of this work.

Final determination of the suitability of any information for use contemplated by any user of this work, and the
manner of that use, is the sole responsibility of the user. Any use of these data and information must be deter-
mined by the user to be in accordance with applicable federal, state, territory, and local laws, and regulations.
The Publisher and Editors recommend that anyone intending to use any toxic, hazardous chemical, and/or carci-
nogenic material mentioned in this work, should satisfy themselves as to such suitability, and that the user can
meet all applicable safety and health standards. The Publisher and the Editors strongly encourage all readers, and
users of chemicals, to adhere to and follow the manufacturers’ or suppliers’ current instructions, technical bulle-
tins, and material safety data sheets for specific use, handling, protection (including the use of personal protective
equipment and eye protection), and storage of all chemical materials. The Publisher and Editors also strongly rec-
ommend that users obtain expert advice before implementing procedures involving any hazardous chemicals,
materials, or carcinogens.
This page intentionally left blank
Contents

Preface ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ix
How to Use This Book..................................................................................................................................................................xiii
Key to Abbreviations, Symbols, and Acronyms........................................................................................................................ xxvii
Chemical Records A to D ............................................................................................................................................................... 1
General Guide to Chemical Resistant Gloves .......................................................................................................................... 3113
Bibliography .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3115
Appendix 1: Oxidizing Materials ............................................................................................................................................. 3125
Appendix 2: Carcinogens........................................................................................................................................................... 3128
Appendix 3: Glossary ............................................................................................................................................................... 3140
Appendix 4: International Hazard Codes, Risk Phrases,and Safety Phrases ........................................................................... 3154
Appendix 5: Synonym and Trade Name Index-Cross Index.................................................................................................... 3161
Appendix 6: CAS Number-Cross Index.................................................................................................................................... 3405

vii
This page intentionally left blank
Preface
For more than 35 years Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and
Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens has continued to
serve an ever-widening audience of users. It has been
proven to be among the most easy-to-use and essential ref-
erence works on hazardous materials. The 7th edition has
been updated and expanded, once again, to keep pace with
world events and to respond to the ever-expanding need for
reliable information on chemicals used in the workplace
and the tool shed.
Most users of this work understand the potential dangers of
chemicals. Hazardous and toxic substances pose a wide
range of health hazards, including irritation, sensitization,
and carcinogenicity. Chemicals can possess physical prop-
erties of flammability, explosion and corrosion. Many che-
micals can harm the environment by poisoning aquatic and
plant life.
The chemical industry and its many component businesses
are forced to strike a delicate balance because the same
properties that make a chemical substance highly useful
can also make it extremely harmful. We are told by some
industrialists that toxic chemicals are present in nature and
that industrial contributions are just the price we have to
pay for progress. There is little argument about the chemi-
cal industry’s critical place in the nation’s economy. The
United States is the number one chemical producer in the
world, generating more than $550 billion a year and
employing more than 5 million people. So, somewhere in
between lies the truth—or at least an area in which we can
function. Information is vital in a world where virtually
every aspect of our lives is touched by chemical hazards.
Each year, in the United States, over 2 billion tons of haz-
ardous and toxic chemicals are manufactured. Including
imports, more than 3 billion tons are transported employing
800,000 shipments each day. It is estimated that 1.3 billion
tons are moved by truck and hundreds of billions of pounds
of these hazardous materials are transported through popu-
lated areas. The average American household generates
approximately 15 pounds of hazardous waste per year.
Nearly five million poisonings occur in the United States
annually, resulting in thousands of deaths. Based on 2004
TRI data (publically released April 2006), over 4 billion
pounds of toxic chemicals are released into the nation’s
environment each year, including 72 million pounds of rec-
ognized carcinogens from nearly 24,000 industrial
facilities.
Chemical accidents and spills can range from small to large
and can occur anywhere chemicals are manufactured, trans-
ported, stored or used. Today’s media headlines constantly
point out both the information gaps and the need for con-
stantly updated information. On January 9, 2014, for exam-
ple, an estimated 10,000 gallons[CDC,NTP] of chemicals used
to process coal spilled from a damaged 45,000 gallon
ix
storage tank into the Elk River in the US state of West
Virginia. As the news of the spill developed, it became
clear to the public (and many experts) that federal and state
officials had sparse data about the health risks of the two
potentially toxic organic solvents involved in the spill: pri-
marily crude 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol and a minor
component of mixed glycol ethers consisting of glycol phe-
nyl ether and dipropylene glycol phenyl ether. The latter
mixture of chemicals was not reported by the manufacturer
to the public until 12 days after the initial spill. The unfor-
tunate truth is that the Elk River is a municipal water
source that serves approximately 300,000 people in and
around Charleston, the state capitol. For weeks following
the spill, residents were instructed not to drink or bathe
with local tap water.
The problem of toxic chemicals in the United States; and,
indeed, in all the world frightens many people. Over the
years, these fears are heightened by news stories such as
the huge accidental plant fire in Saudi Arabia that killed at
least 12 people and injured another dozen (April 2016); the
huge explosion at a vinyl chloride plant in Coatzacoalcos,
Mexico—A few days later (also April 2016) that killed 24
workers and injured 136; the worst environmental disaster
in Vietnam history caused by a chemical spill of cyanide,
phenols and iron hydroxide which poisoned tons of marine
life and killed people along 120 miles of coastline and
stretching some 20 nautical miles out to sea (June 2016);
the chemical plant explosion and subsequent spill of highly
flammable liquids in Guizhou Province, China (February
2012) that killed more than 20 people and forced the evacu-
ation of almost 30,000. Whether the chemical involves an
aluminum dust explosion (Huntington, IN, 2003), a fertil-
izer explosion in West Texas (April 2013) leads in the
water supply (Flint, MI, 2016), the massive Deepwater
Horizon oil spill (Gulf of Mexico, 2010), or older pro-
blems—Bhopal, India, Love Canal, New York, the disas-
trous Valley of the (100,000) Drums (Kentucky), the
Valley of Death in Brazil, and the like
these incidents
generate emotional responses, often from people unin-
formed about science or technology and confirm the charge
of critics that chemicals are “accidents waiting to happen.”
In 2001, the 4th Edition of Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and
Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens was published
shortly before the tragic events of the morning of
September 11. The decade that followed brought many
changes to life in the civilized world. The United States
government, for example, established the Department of
Homeland Security and enacted laws such as the Chemical
Facilities Security Act of 2003. These actions were
prompted by concerns involving infrastructure protection
and the anticipation of another attack, possibly on the
nation’s chemical and energy facilities or by using trucks
x Preface
or tank cars that transport highly dangerous and possibly
lethal chemicals. “These facilities are found around the
country in industrial parks, in seaports, and near the major
population centers. Dangerous chemicals routinely travel
along our highways, inland waterways, and on railcars that
pass through the heart of major cities including
Washington, D.C., just a short distance from Capitol Hill.
Terrorist attacks on the US chemical industry have the
potential to kill tens of thousands of Americans and seri-
ously injure many more. In many instances, these attacks
hold the potential for having a cascading effect across other
infrastructures, particularly in the energy and transportation
sectors. This is both because of the damage that can be
caused by the attack, and the enormous expense and effort
associated with the clean-up to an affected area in its after-
math.”[83] To put it more simply, using the same low tech/
high concept approach that turned passenger planes into
missiles, terrorists do not need to produce or amass chemi-
cal weapons or smuggle them into the United States in
order to produce great damage.
“Commercial chemical incidents occur tens of thousands of
times each year, often with devastating and exorbitantly
expensive consequences. They are indiscriminate in their
effects. Workers, companies, the public, emergency
response organizations, and all levels of government pay
the figurative and literal price. Yet, until now and with few
exceptions, chemical incidents have been invisible. Perhaps
it is due to their pervasiveness, or to the common tendency
to overlook what is taken for granted.”[84] This quote is
from the highly publicized 600K Report prepared by the
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), an
independent, nonpartisan, quasi-legislative US government
agency. The CSB described our nation’s lack of definitive
knowledge of the “big picture” surrounding chemical inci-
dents as “. . . the industrial equivalent of two 737 airplanes
“crashing” year after year, killing all passengers (256 peo-
ple) without anyone seeming to notice.”[84]
Almost 40 years ago, the United States Government
Accounting Office (GAO) estimated that 62,000 chemicals
were in commercial use. Today, that number has grown to
beyond 82,000.
Given the reality of problems inherent to chemical hazards,
including accidents and spills, the advent of new threats to
our way of life, and the challenges of communicating com-
plex data, it is the goal of this work to provide data so that
responsible decisions can be made by all who may have
contact with chemicals covered in this reference work.
With this in mind the work can be used by those in the fol-
lowing chemical fields and related professions:
Applied research and product development
Attorneys
Campus safety and health
Certified chemical hygiene officer (CCHO)
Chemical engineering
Chemical health and safety
Chemical informatics and information management
Chemicals manufacturers and distributors
Chemical technology
Certified hazardous materials manager (CHMM)
Certified health physicist (CHP)
Certified industrial hygienist (CIH)
Certified safety professional (CSP)
Dyes, pigments and inks
Emergency response personnel
Environmental protection and management
Forensic chemistry
Formulation chemistry
Hazardous waste management
Industrial management
Laboratory management
Loss control management
Pesticide distributors
Process chemistry
Process safety
Project management
Public information and outreach
Public health
Quality control and assurance
Regulatory affairs
Researchers
Science policy
Technical communications
Technical support
Toxicology
Water chemistry
The chemicals chosen for inclusion are officially recog-
nized substances, many identified as carcinogens, as
belonging to some designated category of hazardous or
toxic materials; with numerically defined safe limits in air
in the workplace, ambient air, water; in waste effluents. For
the most part these are materials of commerce that can be
heavily used and may be transported in bulk.
The 7th edition contains more chemicals and data for each
material. In keeping with the broad changes initiated with
the fourth edition, contents of the 7th edition are focused
on the concept of “regulated chemicals.” The carcinogen
potential of each chemical was compared to listings and
reports from eminent authorities as the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the US National
Toxicology Program (NTP) and the US Environmental
Protection Agency.
The “Regulatory Authority and Advisory Bodies” section
contains new items including, where available, EPA Gene-
Tox Program findings, and many of the individual listings
now contain useful advice sought after by the regulated
community. As a result, the new volume should be even
 Preface xi

more practical for those users of specific chemicals, and to 800 in the second edition, nearly 1300 in the third edition,
those concerned with both adherence to, and enforcement and nearly 1500 in the fourth edition, and 2200 in the sixth
of, regulations. edition).
Data is furnished, to the extent currently available, in a uni- According to the United State Library of Congress, the his-
form multisection uniform format to make it easy for users tory of the project is as follows: 1st edition published in
who must find information quickly and/or compare the data 1981; 2nd edition published in 1985; 3rd edition published
contained within records, in any or all of these important in 1991; 4th edition published in 2001; 5th edition
categories: November 2007; 6th edition 2012, 7th edition: 2017.
Chemical Name and Record Number
Acknowledgments
Chemical Formula The compilation of this 7th edition could not have been
Synonyms (including trade names) realized without the contributions of many of the research-
Code Numbers (including CAS Registry, HSDB, RTECS, ers, scientists, contract employees and institutions that
UN/NA & ERG, EC) developed the excellent documents and databases that pro-
Regulatory Authority and Advisory Information vided so much of the essential data that appear in this
(summary) work. A full list of these contributors is impossible to com-
Description (including physical properties, explosion and pile. Nevertheless, In no particular order, I wish to
fire data and water reaction and solubility) acknowledge the those associated with US Environmental
Potential Exposure Protection Agency (EPA); United States Department of
Labor; Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Incompatibilities
(OSHA); Department of Health and Human Services;
Permissible Exposure Limits in Air National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Determination in Air (NIOSH); US Department of Energy (DOE); Agency for
Permissible Concentration in Water Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR);
Determination in Water American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Routes of Entry Hygienists (ACGIH); Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Short-Term Exposure (DFG); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
Long-Term Exposure NOAA; United States National Library of Medicine (NLM)
Points of Attack National Institutes of Health (NIH); Hazardous Substance
Medical Surveillance Data Bank (HSDB) and (TOXNET); US Department of
First Aid Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
National Toxicology Program (NTP); Federal Emergency
Decontamination (selected records)
Management Agency (FEMA); US Department of
Personal Protective Methods
Transportation (DOT); US Coast Guard (USCG); National
Respirator Selection Fire Protection Association (NFPA); International Agency
Storage for Research on Cancer; (IARC); New Jersey Department
Shipping of Health and Senior Services; Chemical Safety and Hazard
Spill Handling Investigation Board (CSB); United Nations Environment
Fire Extinguishing Programme; the states of New York and New Jersey, and
Disposal Method Suggested many other government organizations, organizations and
References companies. It is nearly impossible to express the extent of
my gratitude to all of them for their contributions to my
A Brief history of this work research.
Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Although every effort has been made to produce an
Carcinogens was first published more than 35 years ago. accurate and highly useful handbook, the editors and
This work continues to provide first responders and occupa- Publisher appreciates the need-for constant improvement.
tional and environmental health and safety professionals Any comments, corrections, or advice from users of this
with an accessible and portable reference source. Based on book are welcomed by the author who asks that all corre-
a count of CAS numbers, the seventh edition of this hand- spondence be submitted in writing and mailed directly to
book contains data on almost 2600 toxic and hazardous the publisher who will maintain a file for reprints and
chemicals (up from nearly 600 in the first edition, nearly future editions.
This page intentionally left blank
How to Use This Book
Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and
Carcinogens focuses on critical data for more than 2600
commercially important, regulated and hazardous, to one
degree or another, substances. A large number of these che-
micals are known or suspected potentially dangerous carci-
nogens. Many are found in the workplace and fewer are
found in the medical and research fields. Some are found
in home basements and worksheds. For the most part,
importance is defined by inclusion in official, regulatory,
and advisory listings. Much of this information, found in
US government sources, has been supplemented by a care-
ful search of many publications and databases.
This handbook is becoming more encyclopedic in nature.
When one looks at many, if not most published works in
this field, the user simply expects to find numerical data.
Here, we have tried, wherever possible, to provide useful
descriptive material and references which hopefully opens
the door to additional of published materials.
Nevertheless, this is not a seminal research work and it is
recommended that this book be used as a guide. This work
is not meant to be a substitute for workplace hazard com-
munication programs required by regulatory bodies such as
OSHA, and/or any other United States or international gov-
ernment agencies. If data are required for legal purposes,
the original source documents [such as Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR)], appropriate Federal and State agencies,
which are often referenced, should be consulted.
In the pages which follow, the following categories of
information will be presented, for each chemical record,
discussed with reference to scope, sources, nomenclature
employed, and the like. Omission of a category generally
indicates a lack of available information.
Chemical name: Each record is arranged alphabetically by
a chemical name. These are names used by regulatory and
advisory bodies. In very few cases the name may be a
popularly-used product name or trade name. The chemical
name section of each chemical record is backed-up with
the “Synonyms” section and Appendix 5, “Synonym and
Trade Name-Cross Index.”
Formula: Generally, this has been limited to a commonly
used one-line empirical or atomic formula. In the
Molecular Formula field, the Hill system has been used
showing number of carbons (if present), number of hydro-
gens (if present), followed by alphabetically listed element
(s). Multiple carbon
carbon (double and triple) bonds have
been displayed where appropriate.
Synonyms: This section contains scientific, product, trade,
and other synonym names that are commonly used for each
hazardous substance. Some of these names are registered
trade names. Some are provided in other major languages
other than English, including Spanish, French, and German.
In some cases, “trivial” and nicknames (such as MEK for
xiii
methyl ethyl ketone) have been included because they are
commonly used in general communications, especially in
the workplace. This section is important because the vari-
ous “regulatory” lists published by federal, state, interna-
tional agencies and advisory bodies do not always use the
same name for a given hazardous substance. Every attempt
has been made to ensure the accuracy of the synonyms and
trade names found in this work, but errors of highly com-
plex names are inevitable in compilations of this magni-
tude. Please note that this work may not include the names
of all products currently found in commerce, particularly
mixtures that may contain ingredients that are regulated
chemicals.
The synonym index contains all synonym names listed in
alphabetical order. It should be noted that organic chemical
prefixes and interpolations such as (α-) alpha-, (β-) beta-,
(γ-) gamma-, (δ-) delta-, (o-) ortho-, (m-) meta-; (p-) para-;
sec- (secondary-), trans-, cis-, (n-) normal-, and numbers
(1-; 1,2-), etc. are not used when searching for a chemical
name. In other words, these prefixes are not treated as part
of the chemical name for the purposes of alphabetization.
Users should use the substance name without the prefix.
For example, to locate n-butane, search for butane; to
locate 3,30 -dichlorobenzidine; search for dichlorobenzidine;
and to locate α-cyanotoluene or alpha-cyanotoluene, search
for cyanotoluene. Note: All product names, company
names, trademarks, and brands are the registered property
of their respective owners. All company, product and
service names used in this work are for identification
purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does
not imply endorsement by the Author, Editors or the
Publisher.
CAS Registry Number: The Chemical Abstracts Service
(CAS) number is a unique identifier assigned to each chem-
ical registered with the CAS of the American Chemical
Society. This number is used to identify chemicals on the
basis of their molecular structure. CAS numbers, in the for-
mat “nnn-nn-n” [two or more numeric characters (dash)
two numeric characters (dash) followed by a single numeric
check digit]. CAS numbers should always be used in con-
junction with substance names to insure positive identifica-
tion and to avoid confusion with like-sounding names, i.e.,
benzene (71-43-2) and benzine (8032-32-4). This 7th edi-
tion contains some alternate CAS numbers that may now
be considered related, retired, obsolete and/or widely and
incorrectly used in the literature. In this section, the first
CAS number(s), before the abbreviation “alt.” for the word
“alternate,” is considered (based on several sources) to be
the correct CAS number(s). Ultimately, it is the responsibil-
ity of the user to find and use the correct number. Note:
CAS Registry Number is a Registered Trademark of the
American Chemical Society.
xiv How to Use This Book
HSDB Number: HSDB is a toxicology data file on the
National Library of Medicine’s (NLM’s) Toxicology Data
Network (TOXNET). HSDB is organized into individual
chemical records, and contains over 5000 such records.
HSDB is a database focused primarily on the toxicology of
potentially hazardous chemicals. The information in HSDB
has been assessed by a Scientific Review Panel. Using your
computer browser and entering a search such as “HSDB
(followed by the Number)” should take you to the exact
record you are seeking.
RTECS Number: RTECS (Registry of Toxic Effects of
Chemical Substances) is a compendium of data extracted
from the open scientific literature. The data are recorded in
the format developed by the RTECS staff at NIOSH and
arranged in alphabetical order by prime chemical
name.[NIOSH] The RTECS numbers are unique identifiers
assigned NIOSH. The RTECS number in the format
“AAnnnnnnn” (two alphabetic characters followed by
seven numeric characters) may be useful for online search-
ing for additional toxicologic information on specific sub-
stances. It can, for example, be used to provide access to
the MEDLARS computerized literature retrieval services of
the NLM in Washington, DC. The RTECS number and the
CAS number can serve to narrow down online searches.
The RTECS Database is currently available from a growing
list of “value-added” vendors that are listed on the Internet
from NIOSH or CDC. In the US 1-800-232-4636; Outside
the US 1-513-533-8328 or by Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov.
UN/NA & ERG Number: United Nations-North America
numbers are four-digit numbers that identify an individual
chemical or group of hazardous substances, chemicals or
articles (such as explosives, corrosive substances, pesti-
cides, grenades, etc.) with similar characteristics. These
four-digit numbers are normally preceded by UN or NA
(e.g., UN1759-NA1759). UN/NA numbers are required to
appear on shipping documents, and are often displayed on
warning labels, the exterior of packages, and on specified
containers such as truck or railway placards. These ID
(identification) numbers may also be called NA (North
American) numbers or DOT (Department of
Transportation) numbers.[cameo] UN numbers are assigned
by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the
Transport of Dangerous Goods. Identification numbers con-
taining a UN prefix (United Nations numbers) are autho-
rized for use with all international shipments of hazardous
materials. NA numbers are assigned by the United States
DOT and usually correspond closely, but not always pre-
cisely, to the UN listing. The “NA” prefix is used for ship-
ments between Canada and the United States only, and may
not be used for other international shipments. Some chemi-
cals without an assigned UN number may have an NA
number. These latter NA numbers are usually in the format
and range of NA8000
NA9999. Use of these ID numbers
for hazardous materials will (1) serve to verify descriptions
of chemicals; (2) provide for rapid identification of materi-
als when it might be inappropriate or confusing to require
the display of lengthy chemical names on vehicles; (3) aid
in speeding communication of information on materials
from accident scenes and in the receipt of more accurate
emergency response information; and (4) provide a means
for quick access to immediate emergency response infor-
mation in the North American Emergency Response
Guidebook (ERG) and also in the international publication,
Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods,
also known as the Orange Book.
EC Number: The European Commission number is a seven
digit identification code used in countries of the European
Union (EU) for commercially available chemical sub-
stances within the EU. This number is an identification
number (ID) from European Inventory of Existing
Commercial Chemical Substances, published by the
European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark.
The EC number supercedes the outmoded EINECS,
ELINCS and NLP numbers. This section also includes
“Annex I, Index Number” for the Export and Import of
Dangerous Chemicals found in Annex I of Regulation (EC)
No. 689/2008.
Regulatory Authority and Advisory Bodies:
This section contains a listing of major regulatory and advi-
sories for the chemical of concern, including, but not lim-
ited to, Homeland Security, OSHA, US EPA, DFG
(Germany), US DOT, ACGIH, IARC, NTP, WHMIS
(Canada) and the EC, etc. Many law or regulatory refer-
ences in this work have been abbreviated. For example,
Title 40 of the CFR, Part 261, subpart 32 has been abbrevi-
ated as 40CFR261.32. The symbol “y” may be used as well
to designate a “section” or “part.”
G United States Department of Homeland Security.
Includes “chemicals of interest” from The Chemical
Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS Act of
2014) program and the Federal Register, Appendix A,
including all provisions of 6 CFR Part 27, including y
27.210(a)(1)(i). In developing the list, the DHS looked
to existing expert sources of information including
other federal regulations related to chemicals, includ-
ing the following: chemicals covered under the United
States Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk
Management Program. Chemicals included in the
Chemical Weapons Convention. Hazardous materials,
such as gases that are poisonous by inhalation.
Explosives regulated by the DOT. The Department of
Homeland Security has identified three security issues
related to chemicals: Release—Toxic, flammable, or
explosive chemicals or materials that, if released from
a facility, have the potential for significant adverse
consequences for human life or health. Theft or
Diversion—Chemicals or materials that, if stolen or
diverted, have the potential to be misused as weapons
or easily converted into weapons using chemical

manipulation and techniques and related equipment
with the intent of creating significant adverse conse-
quences for human life or health. Sabotage or
Contamination—Chemicals or materials that, if mixed
with other and possibly readily available materials,
have the potential to create significant adverse conse-
quences for human life or health. Also considered
were these security issues as well as to determine their
potential future inclusion in the final version of
Appendix A, and/or coverage under Chemical Facility
Anti-Terrorism Standards: Critical to Government
Mission—Chemicals or facilities the loss of which
could create significant adverse consequences for
national security or the ability of the government to
deliver essential services, and Critical to National
Economy—Chemicals or facilities the loss of which
could create significant adverse consequences for the
national or regional economy.
G Carcinogenicity: lists known and suspected human
carcinogens, the agency making such a determination,
the nature of the carcinogenicity. The following lists
and agencies were consulted: US Department of
Health and Human Services 13th Report on
Carcinogens (10/2/2014). United States
Environmental Protection Agency: US EPA’s general
categories recognized by the 2005 guidelines are as
follows: Group A: Carcinogenic to Humans: Agents
with adequate human data to demonstrate the causal
association of the agent with human cancer (typically
epidemiologic data). Group B: Probably Carcinogenic
to Humans: Agents with sufficient evidence (i.e.,
indicative of a causal relationship) from animal bioas-
say data, but either limited human evidence (i.e.,
indicative of a possible causal relationship, but not
exclusive of alternative explanations; Group B1), or
with little or no human data (Group B2). Group C:
Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans: Agents with lim-
ited animal evidence and little or no human data.
Group D: Not Classifiable as to Human
Carcinogenicity: Agents without adequate data either
to support or refute human carcinogenicity. Group E:
Evidence of Noncarcinogenicity for Humans: Agents
that show no evidence for carcinogenicity in at least
two adequate animal tests in different species or in
both adequate epidemiologic and animal
studies.[USEPA] US Department of Health and Human
Services 13th Report on Carcinogens (RoC), (2014), a
science-based document prepared by the National
Toxicology Program (NTP) that identifies chemical,
biological, and physical agents that are considered
cancer hazards for people living in the United States.
How to Use This Book xv
IARC (International Agency for Research on
Cancer),[12] are classified as to their carcinogenic risk
to humans by IARC as follows: Group 1: Human
Carcinogen; Group 2A: Probable Human Carcinogen;
Group 2B: Possible Human Carcinogen.
G Chemicals on California’s Proposition 65 List, revised
as of September 30, 2016. Officially known as the
Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of
1986. The proposition requires that the Governor pro-
tect the state’s drinking water sources from being con-
taminated with chemicals known to cause cancer,
birth defects or other reproductive harm, and to revise
and republish at least once per year a list of such che-
micals. It also requires businesses to inform
Californians about exposures to chemicals on the
revised list[OEHHA].
G This 7th edition contains a brief summary labeled
“Hazard Alert”. The purpose of this section is to
quickly notify users of specific dangers related to each
chemicals of interest. Following is a sample of warn-
ings appearing in this section: Asphyxiation hazard G
Combustible liquid G Contains gas under pressure G
may explode if heated G Endocrine disruptors (high/
medium/low, where available) G Dangerous nerve
agent G Extremely flammable gas G Flammable liquid
G Frostbite/Cryogenic burn hazard G Poison inhalation
hazard: exposure can be lethal G Polymerization haz-
ard (high) G Polymerization hazard . 30 C G Possible
risk of forming tumors G Primary irritant (w/o allergic
reaction) G Sensitization hazard (skin, respiratory) G
Suspected of causing genetic defects G Suspected
reprotoxic hazard G Environmental hazard, etc.
Warning: This section is merely a guide and does not
purport to be complete for every chemical covered in
this work.
G A banned or severely restricted product as designated
by the United Nations[13] or by the US EPA Office of
Pesticide Programs under FIFRA (Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act).[14]
G A substance with an air pollutant standard set or
recommended by OSHA and/or NIOSH,[58] ACGIH,[1]
DFG.[3] The OSHA limits are the enforceable pre-
1989 PELs. The transitional limits that were vacated
by court order have not been included. However, the
vacated limits are used and enforced by some states.
Some airborne limits, for example, such as those from
NIOSH and ACGIH are recommendations that do not
carry the force of law.
G A substance whose allowable concentrations in work-
place air are adopted or proposed by the American
Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists
xvi How to Use This Book
(ACGIH),[1] DFG [Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
(German Research Society)].[3] Substances whose
allowable concentrations in air and other safety con-
siderations have been considered by OSHA and
NIOSH.[2] Substances which have limits set in work-
place air, in residential air, in water for domestic pur-
poses or in water for fishery purposes as set forth by
the former USSRUNEP/IRPTC Project.[43]
G Substances that are specifically regulated by OSHA
under 29CFR1910.1001 to 29CFR1910.1050
G Highly hazardous chemicals, toxics, and reactives reg-
ulated by OSHA’s “Process Safety Management of
Highly Hazardous Chemicals” under 29CFR1910.119,
Appendix A. Substances that are Hazardous Air
Pollutants (Title I, Part A, y 112) as amended under
42USC7412. This list provided for regulating at least
189 specific substances using technology-based stan-
dards that employ Maximum Achievable Control
Technology (MACT) standards; and, possibly health-
based standards if required at a later time. y 112 of the
Clean Air Act (CAA) requires emission control by the
EPA on a source-by-source basis. Therefore, the emis-
sion of substances on this list does not necessarily
mean that a firm is subject to regulation.
G Regulated Toxic Substances and Threshold Quantities
for Accidental Release Prevention. These appear as
Accidental Release Prevention/Flammable Substances,
Clean Air Act (CAA) y112(r), Table 3, TQ (threshold
quantity) in pounds and kilograms under 40 CFR68.130.
The accidental release prevention regulations applies to
stationary sources that have present more than a thresh-
old quantity of a CAA y 112(r) regulated substance.
G Clean Air Act (CAA) Public Law 101
549, Title VI,
Protection of Stratospheric Ozone, Subpart A,
Appendix A, class I and Appendix B, Class II,
Controlled Substances, (CFCs) Ozone depleting sub-
stances under 40CFR82.
G Clean Water Act (CWA) Priority toxic water pollu-
tants defined by the US Environmental Protection
Agency for 65 pollutants and classes of pollutants
which yielded 129 specific substances.[6]
G Chemicals designated by EPA as “Hazardous
Substances”[4] under the Clean Water Act (CWA)
40CFR116.4, Table 116.4A.
G Clean Water Act (CWA) y 311 Hazardous Materials
Discharge Reportable Quantities (RQs). This regula-
tion establishes reportable quantities for substances
designated as hazardous (see y116.4, above) and sets
forth requirements for notification in the event of dis-
charges into navigable waters. Source: 40 CFR117.3,
amended at 60FR30937.
G Clean Water Act (CWA) y 307 List of Toxic
Pollutants. Source: 40CFR401.15.
G Clean Water Act (CWA) y 307 Priority Pollutant List.
This list was developed from the List of Toxic
Pollutants classes discussed above and includes sub-
stances with known toxic effects on human and
aquatic life, and those known to be, or suspected of
being, carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens. Source:
40CFR423, Appendix A.
G Clean Water Act, y 313 Water Priority Chemicals.
Source: 57FR41331.
G RCRA Maximum Concentration of Contaminants for
the Toxicity Characteristic with Regulatory levels in
mg/L. Source: 40CFR261.24.
G RCRA Hazardous Constituents. Source: 40CFR261,
Appendix VIII. Substances listed have been shown, in
scientific studies, to have carcinogenic, mutagenic,
teratogenic or toxic effects on humans and other life
forms. This list also contains RCRA waste codes. The
words, “waste number not listed” appears when a
RCRA number is NOT provided in Appendix VIII.
Characteristic Hazardous Wastes
Ignitability A nonaqueous solution containing less than
24% alcohol by volume and having a
closed cup flash point below 60 C/140 F
using Pensky
Martens tester or equivalent
An ignitable compressed gas
A nonliquid capable of burning vigorously
when ignited or causes fire by friction,
moisture absorption, spontaneous chemical
changes at standard pressure and
temperature
An oxidizer. See y261.21
Corrosivity Liquids with a pH equal to or less than 2 or
equal to or more than 12.5 or which corrode
steel at a rate greater than 6.35 mm (0.25 in.)
per year @ 55 C/130 F. See y261.22
Reactivity Unstable substances that undergo violent
changes without detonating
Reacts violently with water or other
substances to create toxic gases
Forms potentially explosive mixtures with
air. See y261.23
Toxicity A waste that leaches specified amounts of
metals, pesticides, or organic chemicals
using Toxicity Characteristic Leaching
Procedure (TCLP). See y261, Appendix II,
and y268, Appendix I. Listed Hazardous
Wastes

“F” wastes Hazardous wastes from nonspecific sources
y261.31
“K” Hazardous wastes from specific sources
Wastes y261.32
“U” Hazardous wastes from discarded
Wastes commercial products, off-specification
species, container residues y261.34. Covers
some 455 compounds and their salts and
some isomers of these compounds
“P” Acutely hazardous wastes from discarded
Wastes commercial products, off-specification
species, container residues y261.33. Covers
some 203 compounds and their salts plus
soluble cyanide salts
Note: If a waste is not found on any of these lists, it may
be found on state hazardous waste lists.
RCRA Maximum Concentration of Contaminants for the
Toxicity Characteristic. Source: 40CFR261.24, Table I.
These are listed with regulatory level in mg/L and “D”
waste numbers representing the broad waste classes of
ignitability, corrosivity, and reactivity.
EPA Hazardous Waste code(s), or RCRA number, appears
in its own field. Acute hazardous wastes from commercial
chemical products are identified with the prefix “P.”
Nonacutely hazardous wastes from commercial chemical
products are identified with the prefix “U.”
RCRA Universal Treatment Standards. Lists hazardous
wastes that are banned from land disposal unless treated to
meet standards established by the regulations. Treatment
standard levels for wastewater (reported in mg/L) and non-
wastewater [reported in mg/kg or mg/L TCLP (Toxicity
Characteristic Leachability Procedure)] have been provided.
Source: 40CFR268.48 and revision, 61FR15654.
RCRA Ground Water Monitoring List. Sets standards for
owners and operators of hazardous waste treatment, stor-
age, and disposal facilities, and contains test methods sug-
gested by the EPA (see Report SW-846) followed by the
Practical Quantitation Limit (PQL) shown in parentheses.
The regulation applies only to the listed chemical; and,
although both the test methods and PQL are provided, they
are advisory only. Source: 40CFR264, Appendix IX.
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Maximum Contaminant
Level Goals (MCLG) for Organic Contaminants. Source:
40CFR141 and 40CFR141.50, amended 57FR31776.
G Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for Organic
Contaminants. Source: 40CFR141.61.
G Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG) for
Inorganic Contaminants. Source: 40CFR141.51.
G MCL for Inorganic Contaminants. Source:
40CFR141.62.
G MCL for Inorganic Chemicals. The MCL for arsenic
applies only to community water systems. Compliance
How to Use This Book xvii
with the MCL for arsenic is calculated pursuant to
y141.23. Source: 40CFR141.11.
G Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCL).
Federal advisory standards for the states concerning
substances that effect physical characteristics (i.e.,
smell, taste, color, etc.) of public drinking water sys-
tems. Source: 40CFR143.3.
G CERCLA Hazardous Substances (“RQ” Chemicals).
From Consolidated List of Chemicals Subject to the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know
Act (EPCRA) and y 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, as
Amended. Source: EPA 550-B-98-017 Title III List of
Lists.
G Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances in quanti-
ties equal to or greater than their reportable quantity
(RQ), are subject to reporting to the National response
Center under CERCLA. Such releases are also subject
to state and local reporting under y304 of SARA Title
III (EPCRA). CERCLA hazardous substances, and
their reportable quantities, are listed in 40CFR302,
Table 302.4. RQs are shown in pounds and kilograms
for chemicals that are CERCLA hazardous substances.
For metals listed under CERCLA (antimony, arsenic,
beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel,
selenium, silver, thallium, and zinc), no reporting of
releases of the solid is required if the diameter of the
pieces of solid metal released is 100 μm (0.004 in.) or
greater. The RQs shown apply to smaller particles.
G EPCRA y302 Extremely Hazardous Substances
(EHS). From Consolidated List of Chemicals Subject
to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-
Know Act (EPCRA) and y 112(r) of the Clean Air
Act, as Amended. Source: EPA 550-B-98-017 Title III
List of Lists. The presence of Extremely Hazardous
Substances in quantities in excess of the Threshold
Planning Quantity (TPQ), requires certain emergency
planning activities to be conducted. The Extremely
Hazardous Substances and their TPQs are listed in
40CFR355, Appendices A and B. For chemicals that
are solids, there may be two TPQs given (e.g., 500/
10,000). In these cases, the lower quantity applies for
solids in powder form with particle size less than
100 μm; or, if the substance is in solution or in molten
form. Otherwise, the higher quantity (10,000 pounds
in the example) TPQ applies.
G EPCRA y304 Reportable Quantities (RQ). In the event
of a release or spill exceeding the reportable quantity,
facilities are required to notify State Emergency
Response Commissions (SERCs) and Local
Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs). From
Consolidated List of Chemicals Subject to the
xviii How to Use This Book
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know
Act (EPCRA) and y 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, as
Amended. Source: EPA 550-B-98-017 Title III List of
Lists.
G EPCRA y 313 Toxic Chemicals. From Consolidated
List of Chemicals Subject to the Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and y
112(r) of the Clean Air Act, as Amended. Source:
EPA 550-B-98-017 Title III List of Lists. Chemicals
on this list are reportable under y313 and y6607 of the
Pollution Prevention Act. Some chemicals are
reportable by category under y313. Category codes
needed for reporting are provided for the EPCRAy313
categories. Information and Federal Register refer-
ences have been provided where a chemical is subject
to an administrative stay, and not reportable until fur-
ther notice.
G From “Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Reporting
Form R and Instructions, Revised 2005 Version,” EPA
document 260-B-06-001 was used for de minimis con-
centrations, toxic chemical categories.
G Chemicals which EPA has made the subject of
Chemical Hazard Information Profiles or “CHIPS”
review documents.
G Chemicals which NIOSH has made the subject of
“Information Profile” review documents on “Current
Intelligence Bulletins.”
G Carcinogens identified by the National Toxicology
Program of the US Department of Health and Human
Services at Research Triangle Park, NC.[10]
G Substances regulated by EPA[7] under the major envi-
ronmental laws: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe
Drinking Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA, EPCRA, etc.
A more detailed list appears above. Substances with
environmental standards set by some international
bodies including those in Europe and Canada.[43]
G Hazard Symbols, Risk Phrases, and Safety Phrases.
Explanation of these symbols and phrases can be
found in Appendix 4. In the year 2018 it is expected
that the Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) will be phased in
by many countries. Hazard statements are an essential
element under the GHS, and will eventually replace
the risk phrases (R-phrases) described earlier in the
paragraph. In addition to hazard statements, containers
and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) will often
contain, where necessary, one or multiple pictograms,
a signal word such as “Warning” or “Danger,” and
precautionary statements. The precautionary state-
ments will indicate proper handling procedures aimed
at protecting the user and other people who might
come in contact with the substance during an accident
or in the environment. The container and MSDS will
also contain the name of the supplier, manufacturer,
or importer. Each hazard statement contains a four-
digit code, starting with the letter H (in the format
Hxxx). Statements appear under various headings
grouped together by code number. The purpose of the
four-digit code is for reference only; however, follow-
ing the code is exact phrase as it should appear on
labels and MSDS. The collection of Risk and Safety
phrases in this work my go beyond those found in
some, more generalized Material Safety Data Sheets.
It is also possible that some of the warnings are based
on animal rather than human studies. These statements
are usually preceded by the word “suspected” or
“potential”.
G Water hazard classifications from the German Federal
Water Management Act on Water Hazard Classification,
Verwaltungsvorschrift Wassergefährdende Stoffe
(VwVwS). This law requires all chemical substances be
evaluated for their detrimental impact on the physical,
chemical, or biological characteristics of water.
Substances can be classified as nonhazardous to water
(nwg, nicht wassergefährdende) or assigned to one of
three numeric water hazard classes, WGK-1: low hazard
to waters (low polluting to water), WGK-2: hazard to
waters (water pollutant), or WGK: 3 severe hazard to
waters (severe pollutant). The English acronym for
WGK is WHC (water hazard class). This work uses the
German initial-acronym “WGK” so there is no confu-
sion as to its source. Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS) that use these water hazards also use the
German acronym. If a value was not assigned or not
found in the German database, an estimated has been
provided using the format, “WGK (German Aquatic
Hazard Class): No value found. [3-Severe hazard to
water. (est.)].” These estimates are based on other
sources, for example, the US DOT List of Marine
Pollutants (y172.101—Appendix B). Warning: These
estimates are to be used only as a guide. In the case of
limited information, it is the responsibility of the users
of this work to recognize and address those limitations
and to engage in additional research, including
direct contact with chemical suppliers and all forms of
supplier communications such as the legally required
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), Technical
Bulletins, etc.
Description: This section contains a quick summary of
properties of the substance including physical state (solid,
liquid or gas), color, odor description, molecular weight,
density, boiling point, freezing/melting point, vapor

pressure, flash point, autoignition temperature, explosion
limits in air, Hazard Identification (based on NFPA-704 M
Rating System) in the format: Health (ranked 1 to 4),
Flammability (ranked 1 to 4), Reactivity (ranked 1 to 4)
(see also below for a detailed explanation of the System
and Fire Diamond), and solubility or miscibility in water.
This section may also contain special and relevant com-
ments about the substance. Terms in this section are also
defined in the glossary.
Odor threshold: This is the lowest concentration in air that
most humans can detect by smell. Some value ranges are
reported. The value cannot be relied on to prevent over-
exposure, because human sensitivity to odors varies over
wide limits, some chemicals cannot be smelled at toxic
concentrations, odors can be masked by other odors, and
some compounds rapidly deaden the sense of smell.
Molecular weight: The MW as calculated from the molecu-
lar formula using standard elemental molecular weights
(e.g. carbon 5 12.1).
Boiling point at 1 atm: The value is the temperature of a
liquid when its vapor pressure is 1 atm. For example, when
water is heated to 100 C/212 F its vapor pressure rises to
1 atm and the liquid boils. The boiling point at 1 atm indi-
cates whether a liquid will boil and become a gas at any
particular temperature and sea-level atmospheric pressure.
Melting/Freezing point: The melting/freezing point is the
temperature at which a solid changes to liquid or a liquid
changes to a solid. For example, liquid water changes to
solid ice at 0 C/32 F. Some liquids solidify very slowly
even when cooled below their melting/freezing point.
When liquids are not pure (e.g., salt water) their melting/
freezing points are lowered slightly.
Flash point: This is defined as the lowest temperature at
which vapors above a volatile combustible substance will
ignite in air when exposed to a flame. Depending on the
test method used, the values given may be either Tag
Closed Cup (cc) (ASTM D56) or Cleveland Open Cup (oc)
(ASTM D93). The values, along with those in Flammable
Limits in Air and Autoignition temperature below, give an
indication of the relative flammability of the chemical. In
general, the open cup value is slightly higher (perhaps 10
to 15 F higher) than the closed cup value. The flash points
of flammable gases are often far below 0 (F or C) and
these values are of little practical value, so the term “flam-
mable gas” is often used instead of the flash point value.
Autoignition Temperature: This is the minimum tempera-
ture at which the material will ignite without a spark or
flame being present. Values given are only approximate
and may change substantially with changes in geometry,
gas, or vapor concentrations, presence of catalysts, or other
factors.
Flammable Limits in Air: The percent concentration in air
(by volume) is given for the LEL (lower explosive-
flammable limit in air, % by volume) and UEL (upper
explosive flammable limit in air, % by volume), at room
temperature, unless other specified. The values, along with
How to Use This Book xix
those in “Flash point” and “Autoignition temperature” give
an indication of the relative flammability of the chemical.
NFPA Hazard Classifications: The NFPA 704 Hazard
Ratings (Classifications) are based on those found in “Fire
Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials,” 2001 edition,
National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA, ©1994.
The classifications are defined in Table 1.
Table 1. Explanation of NFPA Hazard Classifications
Classification Definition
HEALTH HAZARD (blue)
4 Materials which on very short exposure could cause
death or major residual injury (even though prompt
medical treatment was given), including those that
are too dangerous to be approached without
specialized protective equipment
3 Materials which on short exposure could cause
serious temporary or residual injury (even though
prompt medical treatment was given), including
those requiring protection from all bodily contact
2 Materials that, on intense or continued (but not
chronic) exposure, could cause temporary
incapacitation or possible residual injury, including
those requiring the use of protective clothing that
has an independent air supply
1 Materials which on exposure would cause irritation but
only minor residual injury, including those requiring
the use of an approved air-purifying respirator
0 Materials that, on exposure under fire conditions
offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible
material
FLAMMABILITY (red)
Classification number and Definition
4 This degree includes flammable gases, pyrophoric
liquids, and Class IA flammable liquids. Materials
which will rapidly or completely vaporize at
atmospheric pressure and normal ambient
temperature, or which are readily dispersed in air
and which will burn readily
3 Includes Class IB and IC flammable liquids and
materials that can be easily ignited under almost all
normal temperature conditions
2 Materials that must be moderately heated before
ignition will occur and includes Class II and Class
IIIA combustible liquids and solids and semisolids
that readily give off ignitable vapors
1 Materials that must be preheated before ignition will
occur, such as Class IIIB combustible liquids, and
solids and semisolids whose flash point exceeds
200 F/93.4 C, as well as most ordinary combustible
materials
0 Materials that will not burn
Another random document with
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the same trip. So he gave Berlyn an introduction. Berlyn, it appears,
fell in love with her and was accepted before the cruise was over.”
“Do you think Berlyn could have been jealous of your cousin?”
“I’m sure he could not, Inspector. Don’t get that bee into your
bonnet. Stanley certainly went often to the house, but Berlyn was
always friendly to him. I don’t for a moment believe there was
anything to be jealous about.”
“There was enough intimacy for them to be talked about.”
“In Ashburton!” Pyke retorted, scornfully. “In a little one-horse
place like that they’d talk no matter what you did.”
“It was believed that there was something between them until
about four months before the tragedy, then for some unknown
reason the affair stopped.”
“That so?” Pyke retorted. “Well, if it stopped four months before
the tragedy it couldn’t have caused it.”
“Do you know where Mrs. Berlyn is now?”
“Yes, in London; at 70b Park Walk, Chelsea, to be exact.”
French continued his questions, but without learning anything
further of interest, and after cautioning Pyke to keep his own
counsel, he took his leave.
So he had reached certainty at last! The body was Stanley
Pyke’s. He had admittedly made four ghastly blunders in his test
points and these he must now try to retrieve. There was also a
reasonable suspicion that Charles Berlyn was the murderer.
Splendid! He was getting on. As he went down to the Yard he felt he
had some good work behind him to report.
 Chapter Ten: London’s Further
Contribution
Now that he was in London, French decided that he should
complete certain enquiries.
First he should satisfy himself that everything possible had been
done to trace the letter-writers of the Euston and St. Pancras hotels
and the purchaser of the money order for £62.10.0. Next he must
visit the manufacturers of the Ardlo magneto and get their views on
short-circuited windings. Lastly he must have an interview with Mrs.
Berlyn.
As it happened, he took the last of these items first, and three
o’clock that afternoon found him ascending the stairs of No. 70b
Park Walk, Chelsea. The house was divided into a number of what
seemed small but comfortable flats. Pretty expensive, French
thought, as he rang.
A neatly dressed maid opened the door and, after taking in his
card, announced that Mrs. Berlyn would see him. He followed her to
a tiny, but pleasantly furnished drawing room, and there in a few
minutes he was joined by the lady of the house.
French looked at her with some curiosity. Of medium height and
with a slight, graceful figure, she still gave an impression of energy
and competent efficiency. She was not beautiful, but her appearance
was arresting and French felt instinctively that she was a woman to
be reckoned with. Her manner was vivacious and French could
imagine her dancing all night and turning up next morning to
breakfast as cool and fresh and ready for anything as if she had had
her accustomed eight hours’ sleep.
“Inspector French, Scotland Yard,” she said, briskly, glancing at
the card in her hand. “Won’t you sit down, Mr. French, and tell me
what I can do for you?”
 “Thank you, Mrs. Berlyn. I am sorry to say I have called on
distressing business. It may or may not concern your late husband. I
am hoping for information from you which may decide the point.”
The lady’s expression became grave.
“Suppose you give me the details,” she suggested.
“I am about to do so, but I warn you that you must prepare
yourself for a shock. It is in connection with the tragedy by which Mr.
Berlyn and Mr. Pyke were believed to have lost their lives.”
Mrs. Berlyn started and her gaze became fixed intently on
French.
“It has been discovered that Mr. Pyke was not lost on the moor as
was supposed. Of Mr. Berlyn’s fate nothing new has been learnt. But
I deeply regret to inform you that Mr. Pyke was murdered.”
“Stanley Pyke murdered! Oh, impossible!” Horror showed on the
lady’s face and her lips trembled. For a moment it looked as if she
would give way to her emotion, but she controlled herself and asked
for details.
French told her exactly what had occurred, from the discovery of
the crate to Jefferson Pyke’s identification of the birthmark.
“I’m afraid it must be true,” she said, sadly, when he had finished.
“I remember that birthmark, too. We were children together, the
Pykes and I, and I have often seen it. Oh, I can’t say how sorry I am!
Who could have done such a terrible thing? Stanley was so jolly and
pleasant and kind. He was good to everyone and everyone liked
him. Oh, it is too awful for words!”
French made a noncommittal reply.
“But what about my late husband?” Mrs. Berlyn went on. “You
said nothing had been learnt about him. But—if they were together
——?”
She paused suddenly, as if seeing that a meaning which she had
not intended might be read into her words. But French replied,
soothingly:
“That’s one of the things I wanted to talk to you about, Mrs.
Berlyn. Did you know if either he or Mr. Pyke had any enemies? You
need not fear to tell me the merest suspicions. I will act only on
knowledge that I obtain, but your suspicion might suggest where to
look for that knowledge.”
 “Are you suggesting that my husband might have been murdered
also?” she said in a low voice.
“Not necessarily. I am asking if you can think of anything which
could sustain that view?”
Mrs. Berlyn could not think of anything. She did not know of
anyone who had a grudge against either of the men. Indeed, only for
the inspector’s assurance she could not have brought herself to
believe that Mr. Pyke had met so dreadful an end.
French then began pumping her in his quiet, skilful way. But
though she answered all his questions with the utmost readiness, he
did not learn much that he had not already known.
Her father, she told him, was a doctor in Lincoln and there she
had known the Pykes. Stanley’s mother—his father was dead—lived
about a mile from the town, and he and his cousin Jefferson, who
boarded with them, used to walk in daily to school. The three had
met at parties and children’s dances and had once spent a holiday
together at the seaside. The Pykes had left the town when the boys
had finished their schooling and she had lost sight of them. Then one
day she had met Stanley in London and he told her that he was at
the Veda Works. She had mentioned that she was going on a cruise
to the Mediterranean and he had said that his employer, Mr. Berlyn,
was going on the same trip and to be sure to look out for him. That
was the way she had met Mr. Berlyn. He had proposed to her on the
trip and she had accepted him.
French then delicately broached the question of her relations with
Stanley Pyke. And here for the first time he was not satisfied by her
replies. That there had been something more between them than
friendship he strongly suspected. Indeed, Mrs. Berlyn practically
admitted it. As a result of French’s diplomatic probing it came out
that Mr. Berlyn had shown marked disapproval of their intimacy and
that about four months prior to the tragedy they had decided that for
the sake of peace they should see less of each other. They had
carried out this resolve and Berlyn’s resentment had apparently
vanished.
French next turned to the subject of Colonel Domlio, but here
Mrs. Berlyn had as good as laughed. It appeared that the man had
tried to flirt with her, but her opinion was evidently that there was no
fool like an old fool. French had no doubt that any lovemaking that
might have taken place was not serious, on the lady’s side, at all
events.
Thinking that he had obtained all the information that he was
likely to get, French at last rose to go. But Mrs. Berlyn signed to him
to sit down again and said, gravely:
“If that is all, Mr. French, I want to ask you a question. I never
think there is any use in pretending about things, and from your
questions I cannot but guess what is in your mind. You think my late
husband may have murdered Mr. Pyke?”
“I take it from that, Mrs. Berlyn, that you want a perfectly straight
answer? Well, I shall give it to you. The idea, of course, occurred to
me, as it would to anyone in my position. I am bound to investigate it
and I am going to do so. But I can say without reservation that so far
it remains an idea.”
Mrs. Berlyn bowed.
“Thank you for that. Of course I recognise that you must
investigate all possibilities, and I recognise, too, that you will not give
any weight to what I am going to say. But I must tell you that if you
suspect Mr. Berlyn you are making a mistake. Though he was not
perfect, he was utterly incapable of a crime like that—utterly. If you
had ever met him you would have known that. I wish I could say or
do something to convince you. Besides, if he were alive, why did he
disappear? If he were guilty, would he not have come forward with a
story that Mr. Pyke had gone alone across the moor and been lost in
the mires?”
French had already noted the point as the chief difficulty in his
theory, and he admitted it fully. He added that Mrs. Berlyn’s
statement had made an impression on him and that he would not fail
to bear it in mind. Then promising to let her know the result of his
enquiry, he took his leave.
He had not lied when he said her statement had impressed him.
That it represented her firm conviction he had not the least doubt.
And it certainly was a point in Berlyn’s favour that such testimony
should be forthcoming from his wife, when it was evident that their
married life had been an indifferent success. Of course it might be
simply that the woman did not wish to be involved in the misery and
disgrace which would come with proof of Berlyn’s guilt. But French
did not think it was this. Her thought had seemed to be for her
husband rather than herself.
It was still fairly early in the afternoon and French thought he
would have time to make another call. He therefore walked up the
Fulham Road and took an eastbound district train at South
Kensington. Half an hour later he was at the headquarters of the
Ardlo Magneto Company in Queen Elizabeth Street.
When the managing director heard French’s business he touched
a bell.
“You had better see Mr. Illingworth, our chief electrical engineer,”
he said. “I am afraid I could not help you in these technical matters.”
Mr. Illingworth was a pleasant young man with a quiet, efficient
manner. He took French to his office, supplied him with cigarettes,
and asked what he could do for him.
French put his problem, recounting the enquiries he had already
made.
“Those people told you quite correctly,” was Mr. Illingworth’s
answer. “Your question is this: Could a man drive a car up to a
certain place and then short circuit the magneto armature so that the
car couldn’t be started again? The answer is, Yes, but not without
leaving marks.”
“But that’s just my puzzle,” French returned. “That’s exactly what
seems to have been done.”
“Well,” Mr. Illingworth answered with a smile, “you may take it
from me that it wasn’t.”
“Then in the case that I have described, the breakdown must
have been a pure accident?”
“I should say, absolutely. Mind you, I don’t say that a breakdown
couldn’t be faked without leaving traces. It could be. But not so as to
stop the car then and there. The concealed injury would take time to
develop.”
“That’s a bit cryptic, isn’t it? Can you make it clearer to a lay
intelligence?”
“Well, it is possible to damage the insulation by jamming a needle
into the armature winding between the wire and the iron core, and if
you’re careful it’ll leave no mark. But it won’t disable the magneto
straight away. In fact, the car will run as usual and it may be a
considerable time before any defect shows. But sparking takes place
at the injury, perhaps at first only when the engine is working
specially hard. This causes carbonisation of the insulation, leading
eventually to complete breakdown. The car begins to misfire and it
gradually grows worse until it won’t run at all.”
“I follow you. I may take it, then, that it is possible to cause a
breakdown without leaving a mark, but that this is a comparatively
lengthy process and cannot be done at a given time.”
“That’s right.”
“Suppose the winding was short-circuited as you describe, could
an electrician afterwards tell what had been done?”
“No. It might have happened through some carelessness in the
original winding.”
“That seems pretty clear. Now, just one other point, Mr.
Illingworth. Those people, Makepeace, in Ashburton, sent the actual
magneto up here to be overhauled. Can you trace it and let me know
just what was wrong?”
“Certainly. We have records of every machine which passes
through our hands.” He consulted an index, finally withdrawing a
card. “This is it. Sent in from John Makepeace, Ashburton, on
Monday, twenty-second August. Would that date work in?”
“Yes, that’s all right.”
“We’ve not had another from Makepeace for five years
previously, so it must be,” Mr. Illingworth went on, rapidly turning
over the cards. “Well, it’s just what we were speaking of. It failed
from a short-circuit in the armature winding and it might have been
caused purposely or it might not. There was nothing to indicate.”
French rose.
“That’s good enough for me,” he declared.
He felt his brain reel as he considered the contradictory nature of
the evidence he was getting. The breakdown of the car had
happened, and at a time and place which made it impossible to
doubt that it had been deliberately caused. To cause such a
breakdown was mechanically impossible. That was the dilemma
which confronted him. And the further he probed this contradiction,
the more strongly he found its conflicting details confirmed.
 In a dream he returned to the Yard, and there with an effort
switched his mind off the conundrum and on to the features of his
case which had been dealt with from headquarters.
Inspector Tanner, it appeared, had handled these matters, and by
a lucky chance French found him just about to leave for home.
“I’ll walk with you,” said French. “I don’t want to delay you, and
what’s more to the point, I want to get home myself.”
Tanner was a man who liked a joke, or at least what he
considered a joke. He now chaffed French on being unable to carry
on his case by himself, and they sparred amicably for some time
before coming to business. But Tanner was also exceedingly able,
and when he described what he had done at the hotels and post
office, French was satisfied that no further information could be
extracted from these sources.
All the next day, which was Sunday, the problem of the magneto
remained subconsciously in French’s mind, and when on Monday
morning he took his place in the 10.30 A.M. Limited to return to
Devonshire, he was still pondering it. In a dream he watched the
bustle of departure on the platform, the arrival of more and ever
more travellers, the appropriation of seats, the disposal of luggage.
(That armature had been tampered with. It must have been, because
otherwise it would not have worked in with a prearranged crime.)
Lord! What a pile of luggage for one woman to travel with! American,
he betted. (But, it could not have been done at the time. In no way
could it have been made to fail just when it was wanted.) What price
that for a natty suit? Why, the man was a moving chessboard! What
was the connection between chessboard suits and horses? (It must
have been tampered with; but it couldn’t have been. That was the
confounded problem.) There was the guard with his green flag,
looking critically up and down and glancing first at his watch and
then over his shoulder at the platform clock. It was just twenty-nine
and a half minutes past. In another half minute. . . .
Suddenly into French’s mind flashed an idea and he sat for a
moment motionless, as with a sort of trembling eagerness he
considered it. Why, his problem was no problem at all! There was a
solution of the simplest and most obvious kind! How had he been
stupid enough not to have seen it?
 As the guard waved his flag French sprang to his feet, and, amid
the execrations of the porters, he hurled himself and his baggage
from the moving train. Then, smiling pleasantly at the exasperated
officials, he hurried from the station, jumped into a taxi, and told the
man to drive to the Ardlo Magneto Works in Queen Elizabeth Street.
“Sorry to trouble you so soon again, Mr. Illingworth,” he
apologised on being shown in, “but I’ve thought of a way in which
that car could have been disabled at the time and place required and
I want to know if it will hold water.”
“If your method covers all the factors in the case as you have
described it, I should like to hear it, Mr. French.”
“Well, it’s simple enough, if it’s nothing else. I take it that if the
magneto of my car goes wrong I can buy another?”
“Why of course! But I don’t follow you.”
“They are all made to a standard—interchangeable?”
Mr. Illingworth whistled.
“Gee! I’m beginning to get you! Yes, they’re all made standard.
There are several models, you understand, but all the magnetos of
any given model are interchangeable.”
“Good! Now tell me, what’s to prevent my man from buying a
duplicate magneto, damaging the armature winding invisibly with a
needle, and running it on his car till it gives up; then taking it off,
carrying it as a spare, and putting it on again when he had got the
car to the point of breakdown?”
“You’ve got it, Mr. French! Great, that is! I didn’t think it was
possible, and there, as you say, it’s as simple as A B C.”
“Well,” said French. “Then did he?”
Illingworth looked his question and French went on:
“I’m looking to you for proof of the theory. First, do these
magnetos carry a number? If so, is there a record of the number
fitted to each car? If so, what was the number supplied with Mr.
Berlyn’s car? Next, is that the number that came in for repair? Next,
was there a magneto of that type ordered separately recently, and if
so, by whom?”
“Steady on, Mr. French,” Mr. Illingworth laughed. “What do you
take me for? I’m not a detective. Now let’s go over that again, one
thing at a time. Magnetos carry a number, yes, and we have a note
of the numbers supplied to the different car manufacturers. They can
tell you the number of the magneto they put on any given car. What
car are you interested in?”
“A fifteen-twenty four-seater Mercury touring car, number thirty-
seven thousand and sixteen, supplied through Makepeace to a Mr.
Berlyn of Ashburton.”
“Right. I’ll ring up the Mercury people now.”
Mr. Illingworth was indefatigable in his enquiries, but he was not
prepared for the state of delighted enthusiasm into which his results
threw French.
“That’s got it,” the latter cried, eagerly. “A long shot, but a bull’s-
eye! I have to thank you for it, Mr. Illingworth, and you don’t know
how grateful I am.”
The first fact was not encouraging. The magneto which had been
supplied originally with Mr. Berlyn’s car was the same that had been
sent in by Makepeace with the short-circuited winding. So far,
therefore, the breakdown might have been genuine enough. But it
was the second item which had so transported French. A precisely
similar magneto had been sold as a spare about a month earlier and
under circumstances which left no doubt as to the motive. It had
been ordered by a Mr. Henry Armstrong, in a typewritten letter
headed “The Westcliff Hotel, Bristol,” and it was to be sent to the
parcels office at St. David’s Station, Exeter, marked, “To be kept till
called for.” The letter was being sent over by hand, and when French
received it a few minutes later he saw that it had been typed by the
same machine as that ordering the duplicator.
“That’s fine, Mr. Illingworth,” he repeated in high delight. “That’s
one of my major difficulties overcome. I just want you to tell me one
other thing. How long would it take to change the magneto—out in
the country on a dark night?”
“It’s a half-hour’s job for a skilled man. The actual lifting in and
out of the machine is easy, but the setting is the trouble. The contact-
breaker, as I’m sure you know, has to be set so as to give the spark
at the right point in the engine cycle. That takes a bit of time.”
“I follow that. But is there no way that the adjustable parts could
be set beforehand to save that time?”
 “That’s right. They could be marked and everything set to the
marks. That would speed things up.”
“By how much, should you say?”
“With everything marked, a man could do the whole thing in
fifteen minutes.”
“Good!” said French. “I guess that’s everything at last.”
He returned to Paddington and caught the 1.30 express for
Exeter. He was overjoyed at his progress. The issue was rapidly
narrowing.
How rapidly it was narrowing struck him even more forcibly as he
thought of a further point. The trick had been played with Berlyn’s
car. Could it have been done without Berlyn’s knowledge? Could, in
fact, anyone but Berlyn have carried it out? French did not think so. It
was beginning to look as if the solution of the whole problem were in
sight.
At Exeter he went about the package. As far as book entries
were concerned, he was quickly satisfied. But no one remembered
the transaction, nor could anyone recall enquiries having been made
by a tallish, red-faced man with light hair and glasses.
Nothing daunted, French caught the last train from Exeter to
Ashburton, full of an eager anxiety to get to grips with his remaining
problems.
 Chapter Eleven: John Gurney, Night
Watchman
French had now reconciled the apparent contradiction in regard
to one of his four test points. Obviously his next job was to clear up
the other three.
As he considered on which he should first concentrate, his mind
fastened on the one point which at the time had seemed not
completely satisfactory—the slightly suspicious manner of Gurney,
the night watchman. During the night, as he now knew, the body of
Stanley Pyke had been taken to the works and put into the crate. It
was impossible that this could have been done without Gurney’s
knowledge. Gurney must be made to speak.
Accordingly, after breakfast next morning he set off to the man’s
house. He passed out of the town on the Newton Abbot road, then
turning into a lane to the left, struck up the side of the valley. Soon
he reached the cottage, a tiny place with deep overhanging eaves
and creeper-covered walls. In front was a scrap of well-kept garden
and in the garden was the man himself.
“Good morning, Gurney,” French greeted him. “I thought you
would have been in bed by now.”
“I be just going,” answered the old man. “I came out an’ begun a
bit o’ weeding an’ the time ran round without my noticing.”
“That’s lucky for me,” said French, heartily. “I want a word with
you. A nice place you’ve got here.”
“Not too bad, it ain’t,” the other admitted, looking about him with
obvious pride. “The soil’s a bit ’eavy, but it don’t do so bad.”
“Good for your roses, surely? Those are fine ones beside the
house.”
Gurney laid aside his hoe and led the way to the really
magnificent bed of La Frances to which French had pointed. It was
evident that these were the old man’s passion. French was not a
gardener, but he knew enough to talk intelligently on the subject and
his appreciation evidently went straight to the watchman’s heart. For
some minutes they discussed horticulture, and then French wore
gradually round to the object of his visit.
“Terrible business that about Mr. Berlyn and Mr. Pyke,” he
essayed. “It must have set this town talking.”
“It didn’t ’alf, sir. Everyone was sorry for the poor gentlemen.
They was well liked, they was.”
“And that was another terrible affair,” pursued French after the
local tragedy had been adequately discussed, “that finding of the
dead body in the crate. Extraordinary how the body could have been
put in.”
“I didn’t ’ear naught about that,” Gurney answered, with a sudden
increase of interest. “You don’t mean the crate you was speaking
about that day you was up at the works?”
“No other. Keep it to yourself and I’ll tell you about it.” French
became deeply impressive. “That crate that I was enquiring about
was sent from here to Swansea. There it was called for by a man
who took it on a lorry to a place called Burry Port and threw it into the
sea. A fisherman chanced to hook it and it was brought ashore more
than a month later. And when it was opened the dead body of a man
was found inside.”
“Lord save us! I read in the noospaper about that there body
being found, but it fair beats me that the crate came from ’ere, it
does.”
French continued to enlarge on the tale. That Gurney’s surprise
was genuine he felt certain. He could have sworn that the man had
no inkling of the truth. But he marked, even more acutely than
before, a hesitation or self-consciousness that indicated an uneasy
mind. There was something; he felt sure of it. He glanced at the man
with his shrewd, observant eyes and suddenly determined on
directness.
“Look here, Gurney,” he said. “Come over and sit on this seat. I
have something important to say to you.” He paused as if
considering his words. “You thought a good deal of your employers,
those two poor men who were lost on the moor?”
 “An’ I had reason to. It wasn’t an accident ’appening in the
execution of my dooty, as you might say, as made me lame and not
fit to work. It was rheumatism, and they could ’ave let me go when I
couldn’t work no more. But they found this job for me and they let me
the ’ouse cheap. Of course it was Mr. Berlyn as ’ad the final say, but
I know as Mr. Pyke spoke for me. It wasn’t everyone as would ’ave
done that, now was it, sir?”
Consideration on the part of an employer was not, French knew,
to be taken as a matter of course, though it was vastly more
common than the unions would have the public believe. But gratitude
on the part of an employee was not so frequent, though it was by no
means unique. Its exhibition, however, in the present instance
confirmed French in the course he was taking.
“Now, Gurney, do you know who I am?” he went on. “I’m an
inspector from Scotland Yard and I’m down here to try to solve these
two mysteries. Because, Gurney, do you know what I think? I think
that on that night the body of one of these two gentlemen was taken
to the works and put into the crate.”
Gurney started and paled. “Lord save us!” he muttered. “But wot
about the accident?”
“There was no accident,” French replied, sternly. “There was
murder. Who committed it, I don’t know at present. Where the other
body is, if there is another body, I don’t yet know. But I have no doubt
about one of the bodies. It was put into the crate on that night.”
Gurney moistened his dry lips.
“But——” he began, and his voice died away into silence.
“That’s it,” French went on, impressively. “Now, Gurney, I’m not
accusing you of anything. But you know something. You needn’t
attempt to deny it, because it has been plain to me from the first
moment I spoke to you. Come now. Something out of the common
took place that night. What was it?”
Gurney did not deny the charge. Instead he sat motionless, with
scared, unhappy eyes. French remained silent also; then he said,
quietly:
“What was it? Were you away from your post that night?”
“No, sir, not that. I was there all the time,” the other answered,
earnestly. Again he paused, then with a sudden gesture he went on:
“I didn’t know nothing about what you ’ave been saying, but I see
now I must tell you everything, even if I gets the sack over it.”
“You’ll not get the sack if I can help it,” French said, kindly, “but go
on and tell me, all the same.”
“Well, sir, I did that night wot I never did before nor since. I slept
the ’ole night through. I sat down to eat my supper in the boiler-’ouse
like I always does, an’ I didn’t remember nothing more till Peter
Small ’e was standing there shaking me. ‘Wake up,’ ’e says; ‘you’re a
nice sort of a night watchman, you are.’ ‘Lord,’ I says. ‘I never did
nothing like that before,’ an’ I asks him not to say nothing about it.
An’ ’e didn’t say nothing, nor I didn’t, neither. But now I suppose it’ll
come out an’ I’ll get wot for about it.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” French said, heartily. “I’ll see you
through. I’ll undertake to get Mr. Fogden to overlook this little
irregularity on one condition. You must tell me everything that took
place that night without exception. Go ahead now and let’s have the
whole of it.”
The old man gazed at him in distress.
“But there weren’t naught else,” he protested. “I went to sleep, an’
that’s all. If there were anything else took place, w’y I didn’t see it.”
“That’s all right. Now just answer my questions. Go back to when
you left your house. What time was that?”
“The usual time, about twenty minutes to seven.”
“You brought your supper with you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Who prepared it?”
“My wife.”
“Did you meet anyone on your way to the works?”
“Well, I couldn’t rightly say. No one that I remember.”
“No one could have got hold of your supper, anyway?”
The man started. “You think it might ’ave been tampered with?”
he queried. He thought for some moments, then shook his head.
“No, sir, I’m afraid not. I don’t never let my basket out o’ my ’and till I
gets to the boiler-’ouse.”
“Very well. Now when you got to the boiler-house?”
“I put it where I always do, beside one o’ the boilers.”
“And you left it there?”
 “While I made my rounds, I did. But there wasn’t no one else in
the works then.”
“How do you know?”
Gurney hesitated. In the last resort he didn’t know. But he had not
seen anyone and did not believe anyone had been there.
“But suppose some one had been hidden in the works,” French
persisted. “He could have doctored your supper while you were on
your rounds?”
“If there ’ad been ’e might,” the man admitted. “But I didn’t see no
one.”
“What time do you have your meal?”
Gurney, it appeared, had two meals during the night. Time hung
heavy on his hands and the meals made a break. He had his dinner
about six, started work at seven, and had his first meal about eleven.
His second meal he had about three, and he was relieved at six.
On the night in question he had his first meal at the usual time.
Until then he had felt perfectly normal, but he had scarcely finished
when he found himself growing overpoweringly sleepy, and the next
thing he remembered was being wakened by the fireman at six the
next morning.
“It’s clear that your supper was doped,” French said. “Now think,
did nothing in any way out of the common happen between six and
eleven?”
Gurney began a denial, then stopped.
“There were one thing,” he said, slowly, “but I don’t believe as ’ow
it could have ’ad anything to do with it. A little before ten there were a
ring at the office door. I went to open, but there weren’t no one there.
I didn’t think naught of it, because children do ring sometimes just by
way o’ mischief. But there weren’t no children there so far as I could
see.”
“How far is this door that you opened from the boiler-house?”
“At t’other end o’ the building. Two ’undred yards, maybe.”
“Is that the only door?”
“No, sir, there be a gate near the boilers for lorries, but people
going to the office use the other.”
“Is the large gate locked at night?”
“Yes, sir.”
 “Who keeps the key?”
“I do. There’s a key in the office that any o’ the gentlemen can get
if they wants, but I carry one with me.”
For some moments French sat thinking, then a fresh point struck
him.
“What did your supper consist of on that night?”
“Tea an’ bread an’ butter and a slice o’ meat. I have a can o’ tea. I
leave it on the boiler and it keeps ’ot.”
“You mean that you don’t make your tea separately for each
meal? You drink some out of the can at the first meal and finish what
is left at the second?”
“That’s right, sir.”
“And the same with food?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now on the night we’re talking about you had only one meal.
You slept through the time of the second. What happened to the tea
and food that was left over?”
“We ’ad it for breakfast, my wife an’ I.”
“That is what I wanted to get at. Now did either of you feel sleepy
after breakfast?”
A mixture of admiration and wonder showed in the old man’s
eyes.
“Why, no, we didn’t, an’ that’s a fact,” he said in puzzled tones.
“An’ we should ’ave if so be as wot you think is true.”
This looked like a snag, but French reminded himself that at the
moment he was only getting information and his theorising could wait
till later. He continued his questions, but without learning much more.
“Now, Gurney,” he said at last, “under no circumstances are you
to mention what we have been speaking of—not to your wife nor to
Mr. Fogden nor to anyone. You understand?”
“I understand, sir, right enough.”
“Very good. Now I’m anxious to go into this matter further, and I’ll
call at the works to-night.”
“Right, sir. I’ll be on the lookout.”
It was dark as French rang at the big gate of the works. Gurney
soon appeared at the wicket and French followed him across the
yard to the boiler-house, a distance of perhaps forty yards. It was a
fair-sized shed, housing five Babcock & Wilcox water-tube boilers
with mechanical stokers and the usual stoker engines and pumps.
On a ledge of the warm brickwork near one of the ash openings
stood the old man’s can of tea, and his basket of food was placed on
the repair bench close by. French took in these details and then said:
“I want now to try an experiment. Will you lend me your key of the
wicket. I will go out, lock the wicket behind me, and go round to the
office door and ring. When you hear the ring you go and open.
Repeat everything exactly as you did that night so as to get back
here at the same time. In the meantime I shall let myself in again by
the wicket and see if I should have time to dope your tea and get
away again before you appear. You understand?”
This program was carried out. French went out and rang at the
office door, then ran round to the large gate, let himself in through
the wicket, found the can of tea, opened it and counted ten, closed it
and relocked the wicket. Then he began to time. Three minutes
passed before Gurney appeared.
So that was all right. Anyone who had access to the key in the
office could have doctored the watchman’s food. Moreover, the fact
that the Gurneys had breakfasted without ill effect on the remainder
was not such a difficulty as French had at first supposed. The
criminal might have doped the tea on his first visit and during his
second poured away what was over and replaced it with fresh. In
fact, if he were to preserve his secret he must have done so. The
discovery of the drugging would have started an enquiry which might
have brought to light the whole plot.
Though French was enthusiastic about his discovery, he saw that
it involved one disconcerting point. What about the theory of Berlyn’s
guilt? The ring at the office door had come shortly before ten. But
shortly before ten Berlyn was at Tavistock. Therefore some other
person was involved. Was this person the murderer and had he
made away with Berlyn as well as Pyke? Or was he Berlyn’s
accomplice? French inclined to the latter supposition. In considering
the timing of the car he had seen that it could have been used to
carry the body to the works provided an accomplice was ready to
drive it back to the moor without delay. On the whole, therefore, it
looked as if the murder was the work of two persons, of whom Berlyn
was one.
But whether principal or accomplice, it was at least certain that
the man who had drugged Gurney’s food knew the works intimately
and had access to the key in the office. Only a comparatively small
number of persons could fill these requirements and he should,
therefore, be quickly found.
Well pleased with his day’s work, French returned to the hotel
and spent the remainder of the evening in writing up his diary.
 Chapter Twelve: The Duplicator
The saying “it never rains but what it pours” is a popular
expression of the unhappy fact that misfortunes never come singly.
Fortunately for suffering humanity, the phrase expresses only half
the truth. Runs of good luck occur as well as runs of bad.
As French was smoking his after-breakfast pipe in the lounge
next morning it was borne in on him that he was at that time
experiencing one of the most phenomenal runs of good luck that had
ever fallen to his lot. Four days ago he had proved that the dead
man was Pyke. Two days later he had learned how the breakdown of
the car had been faked. Yesterday he had found the explanation of
the watchman’s inaction, and to-day, just at that very moment, an
idea had occurred to him which bade fair to solve the problem of the
disposal of the duplicator! Unfortunately, nothing could be done
towards putting it to the test until the evening. He spent the day,
therefore, in a long tramp on the moor, then about five o’clock
walked for the second time to Gurney’s house.
“I want to have another chat with you,” he explained. “I haven’t
time to wait now, but I shall come up to the works later in the
evening. Listen out for my ring.”
He strolled back to the town, had a leisurely dinner, visited the
local picture house, and killed time until after eleven. Then when the
little town was asleep he went up to the works. Five minutes later he
was seated with Gurney in the boiler-house.
“I have been thinking over this affair, Gurney,” he began, “and I
am more than ever certain that some terrible deeds were done here
on that night when you were drugged. I want to have another look
around. But you must not under any circumstances let it be known
that I was here.”
“That’s all right, guv’nor. I ain’t goin’ to say nothing.”
French nodded.