I told him of Professor Vega’s recommendation, whereupon he exclaimed in French:
“Ah! I know Professor Vega. We met last year at our conference in Paris—a very brilliant man!”
Then, as briefly as I could, I explained how the deadly drug orosin had been surreptitiously administered to Gabrielle and myself, and its effects upon us both.
“Orosin!” exclaimed the old savant, raising his thin hands. “Ah! There is not much hope of the lady’s recovery. I have known of only two cases within my experience. The effect of orosin upon the human brain is mysterious and lasting. It produces a state of the brain-cells with which we cannot cope. A larger dose produces strong homicidal tendencies and inevitable death, and a still larger dose almost instantaneous death.”
I told him how we both had lost all sense of our surroundings for weeks, and how we were both found at the roadside, she in Hampshire and I in France.
“You were both victims of some plot; that is evident. Of course you have invoked the aid of the police?”
I did not reply. I certainly feared to seek the assistance of Scotland Yard.
He explained to me practically what Professor Vega had done regarding orosin and its terrible effect.
“There have been other cases of its administration,” said the great alienist. “Somebody must be preparing the drug and selling it for sinister purposes. Though it is so little known as yet that its manufacturer must be an expert toxicologist with special knowledge.”
“Have you seen many cases of its administration?” I asked eagerly.