I had discovered him at Nathaniel's in dishonest
practices, and I held evidence which would have sent him to gaol. I held
this over him now, and I made him, unknown to Bannerman, increase the
doses of aconitine in the medicine until they were sufficient for my
experimental purposes. I will not enter into figures, but suffice it
that Bannerman was giving more than ten times what he imagined.
"You know the sequel. I was called in, and suddenly found that I had
Bannerman in my power. There had been a very keen rivalry between us in
science. He was the only man in England whose career might impinge upon
mine. I had this supreme chance of putting him out of my way. He could
not deny that he had been giving his uncle aconitine. I could prove that
his uncle had died of aconitine. He could not himself account for
the facts--he was absolutely in my power. I did not wish him to
be condemned, Maisie. I only hoped that he would leave the court
discredited and ruined. I give you my word that my evidence would have
saved him from the scaffold."
Hilda was listening, with a set, white face.
"Proceed!" said she, and held out the brandy once more.
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