invariable symptom of morphine poisoning is the contraction of
the pupils of the eyes to a pin-point--often so that they are
unrecognisable. Moreover, the pupils are symmetrically
contracted, and this symptom is the one invariably present in
coma from morphine poisoning and distinguishes it from all other
forms of death.

"On the other hand, in the coma of kidney disease one pupil is
dilated and the other contracted--they are unsymmetrical. But in
this case both the pupils are normal, or only a very little
dilated, and they are symmetrical. So far we have been able to
find no other poison than the slight traces of morphine remaining
in the stomach after so many hours. I think you are enough of a
chemist to know that no doctor would dare go on the stand and
swear to death from morphine poisoning in the face of such
evidence against him. The veriest tyro of an expert toxicologist
could too easily confute him."

Kennedy nodded. "Have you the pill-box and the prescription?"

"I have," replied Dr. Hanson, placing them on the table.

Kennedy scrutinised them sharply. "I shall need these," he said.
"Of course you understand I will take very good care of them. Is
there anything else of importance?"

"Really, I don't know," said the physician dubiously. "It's
rather out of my province, but perhaps you would think it
important. It's mighty uncanny anyhow. Henry Vandam, as you
doubtless know, was much more deeply interested in the work of