The smallest quantity might be met with in the first-class laboratories for scientific purposes, but it is most unlikely for any one in these parts to possess any of this drug, or even to know of its existence." "And yet you----" "That is quite another matter.

Years ago, when I was far away from here, it was in my power to render a great service to a distinguished chemist, and he made me a present of this combination of his skill.

It would be impossible to trace this bottle; I have had it ten years, and the man who gave it to me is dead.

Ten years?
No, I am wrong, it is now twelve." "And in all these years has not this substance lost any of its destructive powers ?" "I tried it only a month ago.

I threw a pinch of it into a basin of milk and gave it to a powerful mastiff.