"You take him, Lester," he said, as I sat down beside him. "I'm worn out." Quivering with apprehension, I arose. It was the first time I had been given the center of the stage in so important a case. Here was my opportunity! Suppose my theory should break down, after all! "Mr. Rogers," I began, "you've been having some trouble with your eyes, haven't you?" He looked at me in surprise. "Why, yes, a little," he said. "Nothing to amount to anything. How did you know?" My confidence had come back again. I was on the right track, then! "I did not know," I said, smiling for the first time since I had entered the room. "But I suspected. I have here a number of pieces of cloth of different colors. I should like you to pick out the one that most nearly approximates the color of the gown your visitor wore yesterday afternoon." I handed him the bundle of samples, and as I did so, I saw the district attorney lean forward over his desk with attentive face. The witness looked through the samples slowly, while I watched him with feverish eagerness. Mr. Royce had caught an inkling of my meaning and was watching him, too. "There's nothing here," said Rogers, at last, "which seems quite the shade. But this is very near it." He held up one of the pieces. With leaping heart, I heard the gasp of astonishment which ran around the room. The jurymen were leaning forward in their chairs. "And what is the color of that piece?" I asked. "Why, dark red. I've stated that already." I glanced triumphantly at the coroner. "Your honor," I said, as calmly as I could, "I think we've found the flaw in the chain. Mr. Rogers is evidently color-blind. As you see, the piece he has selected is a dark green." The whole audience seemed to draw a deep breath, and a little clatter of applause ran around the room. I could hear the scratch, scratch of the reporters' pencils--here was a situation after their hearts' desire! Mr. Royce had me by the hand, and was whispering brokenly in my ear. "My dear fellow; you're the best of us all; I'll never forget it!" But Rogers was staring in amazement from me to the cloth in his hand, and back again. "Green!" he stammered. "Color-blind! Why, that's nonsense! I've never suspected it!" "That's probable enough," I assented. "The failing is no doubt a recent one. Most color-blind persons don't know it until their sight is tested. Of course, we shall have an oculist examine you; but I think this evidence is pretty conclusive." Coroner Goldberg nodded, and the district attorney settled back in his chair. "We've no further questions to ask this witness at present," I continued. "Only I'd like you to preserve this piece of cloth, sir," and I handed it to Goldberg. He placed it with the other exhibits on his desk, and I sat down again beside my chief. He had regained all his old-time energy and keenness--he seemed another man.