own behalf, it was
generally conceded, had materially weakened the prosecution's case,
and it was with much interest that the lawyers watched the outcome of
his cross-examination. Mr. Munson began:

"You have testified that Miss Sloane was a morphine _habitue_." Before
he could propound a question based upon this statement, the Doctor
replied quickly:

"I have not so testified."

"You have not?" asked the attorney, with much surprise.

"No! I said that she had taken morphine, for pain from Bright's
disease, until she had almost become an _habitue_."

"That is practically the same thing," said the lawyer, testily.

"Pardon my disagreeing with you. Had she become a confirmed user of
the drug, for the drug's sake, she would probably have been suspected
by those who lived in the house with her, and thus it would be easy
for us to produce witnesses in corroboration of my assertion. But as
she used it merely to soothe pain, even though she did take large
doses, it was at such intervals, that symptoms of morphine were not
sufficiently marked to attract the attention of an ordinary observer."

Messrs. Dudley and Bliss were delighted at this early proof that the
Doctor would be a match for the astute attorney, who was about to
endeavor to entangle him in contradictions, or damaging admissions.

"Oh! Very well!" said Mr. Munson. "You say that she took morphine in
large doses. You knew this, and also that she had a serious disease,
and yet you left her alone in a strange boarding-house, whilst you
went away to Europe?"

"I left her under the medical care of one who certainly possessed
skill, and who pretended to be my friend. I went to Europe, in the
cause of humanity, to prosecute studies which I yet hope to make a
benefit to my fellows." Thus the Doctor confidently predicted his
acquittal. This was most shrewd, for it not infrequently occurs that
men may be moved by suggestion, even when not in the hypnotic state.
Dr. Medjora was a past master in psychological science.

"How long had you been married, at this time?"

"Eighteen months."

"Then, when you left this woman, she was not only suffering from
disease, and the dangers of morphine, but she was grieving for her
dead child, was she not?"

This was a neat trap, sprung without warning, but the game was shy and
wary. The Doctor replied sternly:

"I have not testified either that she had a child, or that, if so, she
had lost it."

"Well, did she have a child?