made an error, and you will see that my prediction will be fulfilled.
But time, precious time, is passing, and I have much to say before I
lose my reason. You have heard of hydrophobia, have you not? And of
Pasteur's experiments?"

"Yes! I have read what the newspapers have said."

"The investigators in this field have discovered that the virus of
this disease is located in the brain, spinal marrow, and nerves of
infected animals. They have also extracted the virus, and by
inoculation produced hydrophobia in other animals. Along similar lines
I have extensively experimented in connection with insanity. In the
first place, I argued that insanity is due to a specific poison, a
toxalbumen, and that this poison is a result of parasitical action. If
I could isolate that poison, and the germ which causes it, I would
understand the etiology of insanity. The discovery of an antidote
would then be an almost assured consequence. To be able to cure
insanity, would be a proud distinction for the discoverer of the
method. I am convinced that I have the secret almost within my grasp.
The preparation which I have injected into my veins is a formula of my
own. I have named it 'Sanatoxine'!"

"Sanatoxine?"

"Yes! The word means 'poison to sanity,' and my Sanatoxine will
produce insanity, unless I have made some mistake, which is unlikely.
Hereafter, when the proper antitoxine shall have been discovered, it
will be a simple matter to cure insanity. The patient will be given a
proper dose of Sanatoxine, to convert his malady into a curable form
of the disease, and then the antitoxine will counteract the poison
which has deprived him of the use of his reasoning faculties."

"If you have made such a wonderful discovery," said the detective,
"then you should not destroy your own reason, thereby depriving the
world of the benefits of your knowledge. In this you commit a greater
crime than that with which you stand charged!"

"Do I? Suicide is a crime within the definitions of the Penal Code,
but there has been no enactment against self-inflicted insanity. But I
must tell you how Sanatoxine is produced, and then explain how
posterity may yet benefit by my discovery. One of the curable forms of
insanity is delirium tremens. The worst of these cases are truly
maniacal neuroses. I have seen a man die of such an attack, and a few
minutes later I removed his brain and spinal marrow. These I
macerated, and from them I extracted the virus whic