The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-26

away under the shadow of the
cliffs, where we were in compare
tive seclusion.
Let her drift and look at this, y
Herzog said.
He referred to a pill box which
he took from his waistcoat pocket,
removing the lid and holding It
toward me. 1t was nearly full of
cotton wool, on which lay q tiny
tube Of india rubber. Take 1t care
fully; It is very delicate contriv-
ance," he added.
Holding the box in the palm of
my hand, l saw that the tube was
Dubbed at one end. The whole
thing was very small, not more
than half an inch long.
Looks like a sort of squirt.
What am to do with it?" l asked.
THAT tube contains, in solution,
grain of atropine, as you are
probably aware, a most potent and
instantaneous poison Herzog re-
piled, watching me intently. When
we are sitting over our wine with
Lord Alphington tonight you will
find or make an opportunity for
squeezing 1t into his wine glass. He
will be dead man in two minutes,
and unless you bungle the opera
ton no suspicion will rest on you
till after the autopsy. You will be
there, remember, as an honored
guest, who three days ago saved
Lady Muriel's life at the risk of
your own"
1T sounds easy" said sitting
my nausea with an effort. and pre-
tending deep interest in the tube.
1T is easy; have made it SO In
tentionally, Rivington, because you
must forgive me for saying that I
miss something in you which your
reputation had led me to expect
the power of initiation"
l forced laugh, trying to make
1t cynical, you are quite fatherly
in your solicitude. but l do not
think that you will find that l shall
bungle the administration Of his
lordship's Dose" l replied. And
then, well knowing that there
would be no need for the informa-
ton, but to deceive him, added:
And where do come in? What
arrangements have you made for
me to get away, which, after all, is
the essence of our contract?"
1.-THE safest and surest arrange.
ments," he said. .e shall return
to our lodgings, after the proper
condolences; you will take the first
train from Freshwater to Cowes in
the morning, cross to Southampton
and be on board the Royal Mail
steamer that sails for South Amer
lean ports in the afternoon, with
E200 In your pocket"
For answer, shut down the lid
of the pill box and placed 1t in my
vest pocket. Then, resuming the
oars on which l had rested, pulled
slowly toward the shore, hoping
that the significance of my action
had been misunderstood in the way
l wished.
The box was In pocket when,
| some hours later, we quilted our
lodgings and walked round to ard
more" in the gathering dusk to
keep our dinner engagement. I'm
der the lamp opposite the entrance
gates, Herzog plucked the sleeve
of my dress coat and came to an
abrupt halt.
Zone moment-I want to look at
that thing" he said.
Cold beads Of Precipitation broke
out on my forehead. but produced
the box and stood with quaking
knees while he examined the little
syringe. The grunt with which he
returned 1t told me nothing.
ut is all right-in good working
order?" asked, feeling constrained
to say something.
quite right" he answered,
glancing at me curiously in the
lamplight. Come along, or we shall
keep our noble host and hostess
waiting"