“It is for you gentlemen to determine whether Victor Ballau has been the victim of a foul and dastardly crime, by which I mean whether he was sought out in the sanctity of his home and assassinated by some man or woman unknown, or whether for reasons yet unknown, but which we hope this inquiry will uncover, Victor Ballau ended his own life. The case, as you no doubt have read, gentlemen, presents many baffling aspects. After you have listened to the testimony given by the various witnesses the city of New York has subpœnaed for this occasion, it will then be your duty as citizens to return a verdict determining who it was, if you have been able to discover from the evidence, that was guilty of this foul and dastardly crime, or a verdict determining whether or not Victor Ballau, for reasons which may be unfolded here, killed himself.” Coroner Holbein, reddened by his effort, came to an end of his pompous admonition with a flourish of his gavel. Despite his unhappy oratorical obsession he was a man of shrewd perceptions. In a business-like voice he summoned his stenographer and announced to the room that the inquest would now proceed. “Will you take the stand, Dr. Greer?” he said. Dr. Greer arose and seated himself in the chair facing the coroner which had been provided for the witnesses. In answer to a few brief questions he described in medical language the cause of death, concluding with the words: “Yes, in my opinion, death was caused by a shock resulting from a perforation of the heart. The perforation was caused by the introduction of a sharp steel instrument.” There followed a short examination, in which both questions and answers seemed the product of a well rehearsed scene. Q. “Is this dagger I now show you the dagger you removed from the body of Victor Ballau?” A. “It is.” Q. “To what extent had it penetrated?” A. “The entire blade was imbedded.” Q. “In your opinion, doctor, it would take considerable force to drive a dagger seven inches into a man’s body, would it not?” A. “It would if the point encountered any resistance. In this case, however, the blow was so placed that the weapon slid under the ribs without encountering any obstacle until it had gone its full course.” Q. “From the position of the dagger in the body, how would you say the blow had been inflicted?” A. “That is hard to say. It may have been struck from many angles. One thing, however, is obvious. The dagger followed a slightly upward course after penetration.” Q. “What do you deduce from that, doctor?” A. “Nothing definite can be deduced from that except that it was an upward blow.” Q. “Would a man stabbing himself inflict such a wound?” A. “Yes, that might be. A man stabbing himself might either strike downward, or, if he knew a little of anatomy, take the more effective way of striking upward.” Q. “In your opinion, how long after the wound was inflicted did death occur?”