If he were, the trial might end
upon his doing so."

"The witness is only expected to testify to the best of his belief,"
said the Recorder.

"Very true, your Honor. I only wish it to go to the jury in the proper
form. If they understand that this witness does not know of what Miss
Sloane died, but simply states what he thinks, I shall be perfectly
satisfied."

"You may as well modify your question, Mr. Munson," said the Recorder.
Thus Mr. Bliss scored a little victory, which at once convinced the
older lawyers present that, though young, he would prove to be shrewd
to grasp the smallest advantage. His object had evidently been to
belittle the value of the answer, before it was made, by thus calling
attention so prominently to the fact that Dr. Meredith could not know
positively what he was about to charge.

"In your opinion, what caused the death of Miss Sloane?" This was the
new question formulated to meet the objection raised.

"She died of morphine poisoning!" replied Dr. Meredith.

"You mean you think she died of morphine poisoning?" interjected Mr.
Bliss.

"Kindly wait until you get the witness before you begin your
cross-examination!" said Mr. Munson, with a touch of asperity. Mr.
Bliss merely smiled and kept silent, satisfied that he had produced
his effect upon the jury.

"Will you state why you conclude that Miss Sloane died of morphine
poisoning?" continued Mr. Munson.

"I observed all the characteristic symptoms of morphine narcosis prior
to her death, and the nature of the death itself was consistent with
my theory."

"Please explain what the symptoms of morphine poisoning are?"

"Cold sweat, slow pulse, stertorous breathing, a gradually deepening
coma, contracted pupils, which, however, slowly dilate at the approach
of death, which is caused by a paralysis of the respiratory centres."

"Did you observe any of these symptoms in Miss Sloane?"

"Yes. Practically all of them."

"And would these same symptoms occur in any other form of death,
except from morphine poisoning?"

"They would not. Of course they do not apply to morphine only. They
are generally diagnostic of opium poisoning."

"But morphine is a form of opium, is it not?"

"Yes. It is one of the alkaloids."

"Now, Doctor, one more question. You have testified that you attended
this girl in her last illness; as a physician you are familiar with
death from diphtheria; you have stated what are the symptoms of
morphine, or opiu