"And you have no idea what the poison was?"
"No, nor has Doctor Soper. It may be something new, or something little known. Chemists are constantly discovering new things," went on the young physician, bound to clear himself of any suspicion of ignorance concerning medical matters.
"You found no marks of violence, as if there had been a struggle?"
"The only marks I found were two scratches on the right arm of Mrs. Langmore, right above the wrist, and a scratch on Mr. Langmore's left cheek."
"Possibly, or else they may have been made by a ring or bracelet--if there was a struggle."
"Hum! Have you anything else to tell, doctor?"
"I have not. I am willing to tell all I know."
There was another pause, as the young physician stepped back. The coroner was about to call one of the women set to guard Margaret and the Langmore mansion, when he suddenly turned.
"Miss Langmore, you will please take the stand again," he said, and the girl did so, throwing aside her veil. "Are you in the habit of wearing finger rings and bracelets?"
It was a leading question and several gasped as they heard it. Raymond started to rise up, but then sank back again.
"I do not wear bracelets," answered Margaret. "I have two rings."
"One is a plain gold band. It was my mother's wedding ring." The girl's voice sank low suddenly. "The other is a diamond ring, as you can see," and she held up her hand.
"Yes, sir." She took it off. "But please be careful of it, for it--it is very precious to me."
The coroner nodded. "That is all just now," and as Margaret let fall the veil again, he called Doctor Bardon to his side. A whispered conversation ensued, and the young physician left with the precious circlet--Margaret's engagement ring--in an envelope.
"Margaret, you should not have let him have that ring," whispered Raymond.
"How could I help it?" was the low answer. "Oh, this is terrible! I feel as if everybody was trying to look me through and through!"
"I can't understand why Mr. Adams is not here," went on the young man. "Perhaps he has found some important clew and is following it up," he added hopefully.
"They are bound to convict me, Raymond! Isn't it horrible?"
"They shall never do it, never!" cried the young man. And then a sharp rapping on the desk terminated the brief conversation and restored quietness to the little courtroom.