Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-03-13

upon the bell pull waiting while he might
have counted three. He had scarcely
ever found a pause in his speech so long.
de rang twice, one pull followed swiftly
and sharply on the other.
Coffee for two-black coffee"
The notable scheme was we'll upon its
way now, and the spy's pulses beat quick,
and his throat and tongue and lips were
dry, and felt hard, like wood. The cof-
fee came, hot and fragrant. Dobroski
drew his cup beside him on the table. 1t
seemed an age before he slipped. The spy
had already put his lips to his own cup,
and could detect nothing strange in the
flavor of the liquid.
At that instant curious burning pang
shot across the spy's stomach, and a sec
ond later feeling of nausea rose within
him. like that he always experienced even
in the smoothest weather when he pass
ed between France and England. Dob
roski shifted uneasily, and took drink at
his coffee.
Il can afford to escape the rest" said
the spy to himself. But it shall be
mine to open the ball" He began to walk
up and down the room, and suddenly
threw window open. Dobroski turning
to look at him, saw that he was rubbing
at the bottom of his waistcoat with both
hands, and that he wore a Disguised and
almost indignant look.
What is the matter?" asked the old
man, rising. you are in pain?" He adj
vnnced toward his betrayer but as he
took his first step he paused and flushed,
laying an outstretched hand upon his
breast.
Il am on fire." said Zeno. II am
sick. l loathe myself"
Il, too" said Dobroski quietly, "feel
a sense of burning and sickness"
1T is the coffee" cried Zeno. 1--WE
have both taken it. There is something
unwholesome in the coffee"
The old man sank back into his chair,
white and trembling. You have drunk
more than l." cried the spy, as if in a
paroxysm of regret and fear. You're
i'll. All dear sir, you're i'll. He is i'll.
He is dying. All ! the doctor. There is
doctor on the second floor. What a
providence ~
He rang the bell, and then rushed to
the door and tore it open.
''The doctor" he shouted. 1.-THE doc
tor on the second floor! Tell him to
come here Quickly quickly !"
A door opened below, feet ran rapidly
upstairs. A man presented himself, strug-
Cling into a respectable professional
frock coat as he entered the room.
what is the matter?" he demanded.
my friend !" cried Zeno; "the dear
est. He is dying. And also. We have
taken poison. The coffee"
He threw himself upon the couch and
contorted mis- body, as If he were in
agony. Dobroski sat white and still, with
both hands trembling ON his chest, and
great beads of sweat running from his
forehead. The newcomer tasted the
Coffee and spat it out again, with a wry
face. Dobroski watched him collectedly
and inquiringly
'Verdigris," said the doctor. Another
example of the folly of the copper kettle
will put you both right in a moment >
He ran downstairs, and presently return.
ed with a tumbler in either hand.
"Your antidote, SIR" he said, in q
| business tone to Zeno and then advanc
ing to Dobroski set one hand below the
old mans head and with the other hello
tho draught to his lips. Drink this, sir
it will soothe you at once"
He went quietly from the room, but
did not trouble himself to descend into
the kitchen. He occupied himself instead
by looking over the contents of small
black handbag, which held among othel
| things five or six blue walls with glass
shoppers, and hypodermic syringe in it,
case. This last he examined with great
particularly, and for extra safety be
| slowed it in his waistcoat pocket.