Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-10-20
THE
POISONED
CIGAR
By JOHN N. RAPHAEL

EbikIE ElkNbNt an dtkdGue OF DlS
III majesty's embassy at the court Of
Eloritaria, sat waiting. The room was
a comfortable one. for the members Of
the Floritaria embassy had little to do
beyond making themselves comfortable,
and Vernon, whose private income was
a very large one, had made this sitting
room Of his a delightfgl combination OF
a mans room at college and the bou-
doir Of a woman of fashion.
The whole of one side of 1t opened into
a conservatory, in which were flowers Of
almost every kind. from orchids almost
beyond price to cabbage roses. and there
were a number Of strengthening and
strange smelling plants In that eonserva-
tory as well. for George Vernon was an
ardent botanist.
Vernon sat deep down In a low bas-
ket armchair. watching the smoke of his
cigarette as il curled gracefully toward
the ceiling The little crystal clock
upon the manteipiece tinkled out the
chimes that marked the quarters, and
Vernon reused himself up out Of his
chair. gave himself a shake and
laughed
THE baron will be here IN Ave min
utes." he said. Il wonder which Of us
will leave the room in an hours time"
And as he said the words he opened a
case Of glasses, placed soda-water upon
the table by it, put away the cigarettes,
and brought a little gold box, marked
Cigars"
Baron Heinrich won Reltzenstein, p
announced the servant at the door And
the baron came In. brought his heels to-
Eether In true German military fashion.
and bowed 10 Vernon. Here am, you
see, punctual TO the minute. Herr YER
non, said Baron Won Reitzenstein.
Vernon looked at him without an
swering Both were types in their way
Of that most polished thing on earth,
real man Of the world and although
both Of them knew that death was 10 be
TIE lot Of one Of them within the next
hour. a slight shudder was the only sign
Of such knowledge either Of them
showed "A drink. baron2" said George
Vernon. Thank YOU yes Only alittle
coda May ! serve you? So" And
both men touched glasses in the German
style and drank
Health and long life toto which
ever one Of us fate allows 10 leave this
room" said Vernon. smiling, and,
Health and long life TO one Of as. d" re-
piled the baron.
Let me Just run over the terms OF
our agreement" said George Vernon.
I'VE need not go into The reasons 81
our quarrel We have quarreled, and
only the death % enc Of US can settleit"
The baron bowed
Very We'll. then Neither Of US Is
a Freucbman. ana We both lock upon the
ordinary duel with its seconds, its pub
Icity los probable haTmitssuvss. and it's
reconciliation afterwards. as quite ride
ulous" The baron bowed again. To
avoid the punishment and the disgrace OF
The survivor, We have agreed to end our
quarrel by THE cigar test, a method that
learned ia south America
"Iu this box. and Vernon opened the
cirar-box with a little key that was at
tached 20 his watch chain, are several
cigars. have STEPPED one of them In
preparation Of that little plant with the
long hbr0us leaves and tie red flower.
which yOu can see tn the conservatory.
The juice 0f il is deadly poison, but d IS
utOrisss and tasteless Whoever smokes
the cigar STEPPED 10 this juice will die
ln a few minutes. but his remains viii
show 10 trace % the poison, and hts
oeath win De quite painless
The doctors wiH ascribe 70 TO heart
failure. and nobody need ever know the
truth The survivor viii throw there
mains Of the cigar into the Ere. and viii
not ring Scr help until lt U.s. entirely CON
suuet. . need hardly say that be Wiz
never make the slightest reference 20
the reasou uf oar quarrel. which. u5ttfhs
mHuugr uE lts settlement. sill remains
secret
TIE baron crank d I5ttte whisky and
ina clear voice answered. rLatus smoke
nv friend ] feel assured ffst vaur
eiFars are excellent" without even
looking At the box he took CHAR.
clipped az the end of ii. and It tt from
the small lamp upon the table. Yer