"I am," said Colin. "That's why I'm taking his practice."
"In that case," continued the visitor, "I don't mind telling you, young man, that it was 'im as done it."
"What, poisoned you?" exclaimed Colin. "Surely not."
The lady reached for her bag, and, after fumbling among its contents, produced a half empty bottle of medicine. She handed this to Colin, who examined the label.
"Are you Mrs. Jones?" he inquired.
"That's right, young man," was the answer. "Mrs. Jones o' Baxter's Rents, and there ain't no one in Shadwell wot can say to the contrary."
"And why do you think that Doctor Ashton has poisoned you?"
Mrs. Jones leaned forward mysteriously and tapped the bottle.
"You can see for yourself, young man. 'E's given me the wrong medicine. Mind you, I don't say that 'e done it a purpose. I expect 'e was a bit 'urried and made a mistake. All the same, there ain't no gettin' away from it. 'E's given me the wrong medicine, an' I'm pizened."
Colin extracted the cork and took a sniff at the contents.