These were all argued with great learning. During the trial
the box containing the balance of the pills, which the defence
contended were calomel, unexpectedly turned up. It has always
been one of the greatest regrets of the writer's life that he
did not then and there challenge the defendant to eat one of
the pills and thus prove the good faith of his defence.
This was one of the very rare cases where a chemical analysis
has been conducted in open court. The chemist first tested a
standard trade morphine pill with sulphuric acid, so that the
jury could personally observe the various color reactions for
themselves. He then took one of the contested pills and
subjected it to the same test. The first pill had at once
turned to a brilliant rose, but the contested pill, being
antiquated, "hung fire," as it were, for some seconds. As
nothing occurred, dismay made itself evident on the face of
the prosecutor, and for a moment he felt that all was lost.
Then the five-year-old pill slowly turned to a faint brown,
changed to a yellowish red, and finally broke into an ardent
rose.
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