"Why did you come to so singular a conclusion?"
"Because, as I have already testified, despite my animosity, I concurred with Dr. Fisher's estimate of his skill. I thought him the most valuable consulting physician to be had, and, in a case of life and death, I believed that personal antagonisms should be forgotten."
"You say Dr. Meredith was the most valuable consulting physician to be had. Do you mean that he is the most skilled expert that you know?"
"No. But he is skilful and his office is very near to the house where the patient was. That fact was of importance in deciding whether to retain him or not."
Mr. Munson seemed to strive almost in vain to outwit the witness who adroitly parried every attack.
"You have claimed," continued the lawyer, "that Miss Sloane administered morphine to herself?"
"I assert it."
"Then at least you admit that a dose, a large dose, was taken by the deceased in your presence, on the day of her death?"
"Yes."
"And though you, as a physician, were conversant with her troubles and aware of the danger of such a dose, you did not prevent her from taking this dangerous poison?"