Miss Russell had in fact drunk a full dose of pure trinitrin. I recognised all the symptoms at once. I rang for assistance. I got a stomach pump. I got ice, and sent for ergot and for atropine. I injected six minims of the Injectis Ergotini Hypodermica. I despaired of saving her; but I saved her, after four injections. I need not describe to you all the details. Let it suffice that she recovered.
“Then you did exchange the bottles?” I could not help putting this question to her as soon as she was in a fit state to hear it.
“I swear to you that I had not meant to,” she whispered. “In my nervousness I must have confused them. You have saved Adelaide’s life.”
“I have saved yours, anyway,” I said.
“But you believe me?”
“Yes,” I said; and the curious thing is that I did believe her. I was convinced, and I am convinced, that she did not mean to exchange the bottles.
“Listen!” she exclaimed. We could hear Big Ben striking twelve.
“Midnight,” I said.
She clutched my hand with a swift movement. “Go and see that my Adelaide lives,” she cried almost hysterically.
I opened the door between the two rooms and went into the sleeping chamber.