I had made up my mind from the moment I realised Carmel's condition, that there was nothing for me to do till after the inquest.

The public investigation which this would involve, would show the trend of popular opinion, and thus enlighten me as to my duty.

Meanwhile, I would keep to the old lines and do the best I could for myself without revealing the fact of Carmel's near interest in a matter she was in no better condition to discuss now than when in a state of complete unconsciousness.
Of that inquest, which was held in due course, I shall not say much.

Only one new fact was elicited by its means, and that of interest solely as making clear how there came to be evidences of poison in Adelaide's stomach, without the quantity being great enough for more than a temporary disturbance.
Maggie, the second girl, had something to say about this when the phial which had held the poison was handed about for inspection.

She had handled that phial many times on the shelf where it was kept.