“The deceased died from poisoning by hydrocyanic acid,” was the reply.
This was news to most of those present, including the reporters, who began to write feverishly, those representing the evening papers, anyway. Here was a new fact, one even they, so far, had not been allowed to know.
“That is what is known as prussic acid, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“The hatpin you have already described to us was not the cause of death?”
“The deceased was dead when it was inserted.”
“Would it have caused death had there been no poison?”
“Possibly, but not certainly. Death at all events would hardly have been so rapid. With that wound the deceased might have lingered for some time, for days even.”
“He might eventually have recovered?”
“Yes.”