“Yes, in my opinion, death was caused by a shock resulting from a perforation of the heart. The perforation was caused by the introduction of a sharp steel instrument.”
There followed a short examination, in which both questions and answers seemed the product of a well rehearsed scene.
Q. “Is this dagger I now show you the dagger you removed from the body of Victor Ballau?”
A. “It is.”
Q. “To what extent had it penetrated?”
A. “The entire blade was imbedded.”
Q. “In your opinion, doctor, it would take considerable force to drive a dagger seven inches into a man’s body, would it not?”
A. “It would if the point encountered any resistance. In this case, however, the blow was so placed that the weapon slid under the ribs without encountering any obstacle until it had gone its full course.”
Q. “From the position of the dagger in the body, how would you say the blow had been inflicted?”
A. “That is hard to say. It may have been struck from many angles. One thing, however, is obvious. The dagger followed a slightly upward course after penetration.”