“Not every night, but frequently. I always had it ready.”
“Will you step down a minute? I want to ask Dr. Cameron a few questions about this soothing medicine.”
The interruption was welcome; we all needed a moment’s respite. Dr. Cameron was again sworn. He had given his testimony at length earlier in the day but it had been mainly in reference to a very different sort of medicine, and it was of this simpler and supposedly very innocent mixture that the Coroner wished to learn a few facts.
Dr. Cameron was very frank with his replies. Told just what it was; what the dose consisted of and how harmless it was when given according to directions. “I have never known,” he added, “of Mrs. Starr ever making any mistake in preparing or administering it. The other medicine of which I have already given a detailed account I have always prepared myself.”
“It is of that other medicine taken in connection with this one of which I wish to ask. Say the two were mixed what would be the result?”
“The powerful one would act, whatever it was mixed with.”
“How about the color? Would one affect the other?”
“If plenty of water were used, the change in color would hardly be perceptible.”
“Thank you, doctor; we can release you now.”
The doctor stepped down, whereupon a recess was called, to the disappointment and evident chagrin of a great many.