elf written the word "Poison"), it was impossible
for him to identify the bottle. The dressing-case and the deceased
lady's bedroom had been vainly searched for the chemist's missing
label--on the chance that it might have become accidentally detached
from the mysterious empty bottle. In both instances the search had been
without result. Morally, it was a fair conclusion that this might be
really the bottle which had contained the poison. Legally, there was not
the slightest proof of it.

Thus ended the last effort of the defense to trace the arsenic purchased
by the prisoner to the possession of his wife. The book relating the
practices of the Styrian peasantry (found in the deceased lady's room)
had been produced But could the book prove that she had asked her
husband to buy arsenic for her? The crumpled paper, with the grains
of powder left in it, had been identified by the chemist, and had been
declared to contain grains of arsenic. But where was the proof that Mrs.
Eustace Macallan's hand had placed the packet in the cabinet, and had
emptied it of its contents? No direct evidence anywhere! Nothing but
conjecture!

The renewed examination of Miserrimus Dexter touched on matters of no
general interest. The cross-examination resolved itself, in substance,
into a mental trial of strength between the witness and the Lord
Advocate; the struggle terminating (according to the general opinion)
in favor of the witness. One question and one answer only I will repeat
here. They appeared to me to be of serious importance to the object that
I had in view in reading the Trial.

"I believe, Mr. Dexter," the Lord Advocate remarked, in his most
ironical manner, "that you have a theory of your own, which makes the
death of Mrs. Eustace Macallan no mystery to _you?_"

"I may have my own ideas on that subject, as on other subjects," the
witness replied. "But let me ask their lordships, the Judges: Am I here
to declare theories or to state facts?"

I made a note of that answer. Mr. Dexter's "ideas" were the ideas of
a true friend to my husband, and of a man of far more than average
ability. They might be of inestimable value to me in the coming time--if
I could prevail on him to communicate them.

I may mention, while I am writing on the subject, that I added to this
first note a second, containing an observation of my own. In alluding to
Mrs. Beauly, while he was giving his evidence, Mr. Dexter had spoken of
her so slightingly--