At first I thought I was only burned.

Then I recognized the taste and burn of the acid and knew something was wrong.

Picking up the tin, I examined it, smelled the pungent odor and felt a queer numb sense of fear.

This lasted only for a moment, as I well knew the use and power of the acid, and had not swallowed enough to hurt me.

I was about to make known my mistake in a matter-of-fact way, when it flashed over me the accident could be made to serve a turn.
"Jones!" I cried hoarsely.