“In a few moments there occurs a tingling numbness of lip and tongue and pharynx. The numbness increases and affects all the muscles and death ensues inside of an hour. This paralyzing effect renders it impossible for the victim to cry out, and there are no convulsions. The body remains calm and undisturbed, and the eyes open. A dilatation of the pupil takes place, but the expression on the face remains as in life. This is why Miss Carrington continued to look happy and smiling——”
“And proves that when she took the poison she was happy and smiling, and therefore in no way terrorized or frightened into it.”
“Exactly so. And that indicates that she didn’t know she was taking it,——”
“Or, that it was administered by some one she knew and loved and had all confidence in.”
“It would seem so,” and Doctor Stanton’s fine old face showed a sad apprehension.
“How was it taken,—in what medium?”
“That we can’t tell to a certainty. There were traces of the sandwiches discovered at the autopsy, but, though the poison could have been given her, concealed in a sandwich filling, it is improbable.”
“Why?”
“Because the white granules or powder, which are soluble in water, would be more easily discerned in solid food.”
“But, on the other hand, it could be unostentatiously placed in a sandwich, with little fear of detection; but to prevail on her to swallow a solution,—it is bitter, is it not?”