m her the marriage certificate,
and her wedding-ring. I then instructed her to keep our marriage a
secret, threatening to abandon her if she did not obey me."

"What explanation have you to make of such conduct?"

"Shortly after our marriage, I discovered that my wife was afflicted
with Bright's disease, for which I treated her with much apparent
success. Unfortunately, however, previous to our marriage, she had
become addicted to the use of morphine for relief until she had almost
become an _habitue_. I used every effort to cure her, and thought that
I had succeeded, when, just before my departure for Europe, I found
her one day with morphine tablets and a new hypodermic needle, in the
act of administering the drug. In despair I simulated great rage, took
away her marriage certificate and ring, and threatened that if during
my absence she should use the drug, I would never acknowledge her as
my wife. Thus, my apparent cruelty was intended as a kindness. I knew
that she loved me, even more than she did morphine, and I hoped to
compel her to abandon the drug, by causing her to fear the loss of her
love."

"Did you take any further steps for her safety!"

"Yes. I confided her secret, and mine, to a dear friend and skilful
physician, who promised to watch over her, and shield her from pain or
other harm during my absence."

"Will you state who this friend is?"

"Was, you mean. He no longer is my friend, if he ever was. He proved
himself to be a traitor to friendship, for he tried to alienate my
wife's affections from me, in which, however, he failed utterly. That
man was Dr. Meredith, the false friend who charged me with this
crime."

Here was a sensation so entirely unexpected, and the situation became
so intense, that people held their breaths, awed into silence. Dr.
Meredith, who was in court, held his eyes down and gazed steadfastly
at a knot in the floor, whilst those nearest to him saw that he
trembled violently. Mr. Bliss, quick to recognize that his client was
making a most favorable impression, with true dramatic instinct,
paused some time before continuing. Finally he asked:

"Then Dr. Meredith knew that Miss Sloane was your wife?"

"He did."

"Also that she was addicted to morphine?"

"I told him so myself."

"That she had Bright's disease?"

"Yes."

"How soon after your return did you learn that he had been too
attentive to your wife?"

"I must object, your Honor," interjected Mr. Munson. "