‘The dart was also tested for traces of hydrocyanic acid.’ Dr Shaw looked directly at the coroner and said crisply. ‘Two tests were used. The first was negative. The second positive. Indications of a very slight trace of hydrocyanic acid were found upon the dart.’

III

There was only one other witness, a representative of the firm that made the darts. He stated with considerable emphasis that at no stage of their manufacture did they come in contact with any form of cyanide and that no cyanic preparation was to be found in the entire factory.