by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace

“ There was silence for a moment.
"I can only say I am very sorry for you, Count Kinsky; your case is apparently a bad one; but do not despair yet, until complete investigation is made. It is all incomprehensible; but come, come at once."
Kinsky turned and grasped my hand.
"You know, Elphinstone, what this means to me? I allude to—Isabel."
I returned the pressure.
"Gold help you!" I muttered. "But I am thankful you have Nevares on your side. Trust him." ”

“ It is true that I practice the art of the Palmist, or, in other words, the Chiromancist, because I have always found the subject of deepest interest to me; but I have money enough, and, although I confess that I sometimes accept fees, I never count on them; my work in itself is of sufficient interest to me, for I believe in it. ”

“ I think I am the happiest girl in the world. But I have so much to say to you. It is the oddest thing that Count Kinsky should be in England just now. I don't suppose you know, but he is one of the heads of the Haute Police, as it is called in Russia, and the chief of the section that guards the persons of the Royal House. Even I do not know what is the nature of his mission to England. He is anxious to have a talk with you later in the evening. ”

“ The details, we all know; and, we also know, that treachery has been used to accomplish the death of Golonski by poisoning by Japaconitine, the most deadly alkaloid of Aconitum Fischeri grown in Japan. I do not believe you are guilty. Now let me explain.
"It is well known by all chemists, and all members of the medical profession, that if a person takes for some time a small and ever-increasing quantity of a poison, his system becomes what is called tolerated to that particular poison, and it ceases to have a toxic effect. ”

“ You must again submit to the blinds being down in the brougham; you are not to attempt to penetrate further into the mystery in which you bore a part to-night."
On reaching home I found my friend Nevares sitting in an arm-chair and half asleep. He was a remarkable personality. He had all the beauty that the best of the East can produce, and all the refinement that can be gained by an English education of the highest order. ”

“ You are, of course, aware that there is little doubt that our nation will soon be in conflict with Japan, both by land and sea, and our secret agents have learned that a Japanese chemist has recently discovered a new and terrifically powerful explosive, for use not only in shells and torpedoes, but also for floating mines. ”

“ A cry started from Kinsky’s lips.
"Wait!" went on the Persian. "Listen yet a little. In order to prove your innocence, there is only one way. I put before you, therefore, two alternatives. One,— your leaving England in four hours’ time for Russia, to die, or to go to a living death, leaving all that makes life worth caring for, and also the woman you love, and this forever ”

“ I have heard from Isabel that you deal in the occult sciences, and more particularly in the study of the human hand. I have a friend who is so highly strung, and, alas! so sensitive and nervous, that he has implored me to get a professional to read his hand. ”

“ We stand together, you see, to win or lose all. You, are of the West; I, of the East; I should have no hesitation were I in your position. "
Here, for the first time, Isabel spoke.
"Take the draught, Sergius," she whispered.
"I will"; he answered. He took her in his arms and kissed her.
"Had you not better leave the room, Isabel?" I exclaimed.
"No," she answered. "I stay with Sergius; whatever happens, I shall be at his side."
Meanwhile, Nevares poured something into a phial, and then muttered a few words in Persian. Kinsky took the phial, and said a word of prayer. His face was like death ”

“ In another moment they had gone.
It was late that evening when Nevares returned. I could see by his face that the news was bad.
"Well?" I exclaimed.
"It is not well at all," was his low answer. "In both the coffee and the milk, and also in the stomach of the late chemist, we have found a powerful vegetable alkaloid poison. To-morrow I shall know what it is exactly. The amount is large. Had it been in the stuff when Kinsky took his share he would certainly have died as quickly as Golonski. It was therefore put in after Kinsky drank his part. ”

“ Hardened habitués to these poisons can, and do, take quantities sufficient to kill anyone not accustomed to them. My belief is, that you have been secretly given for a long time in your food, small but gradually increasing quantities of Japaconitine, and your system is so tolerated that you can take a quantity which, though it would have no effect on you, would kill a person not tolerated to it. ”

“ The Czar’s own words were these, and they admit of no misinterpretation or equivocation, especially as I am not viewed by him with favor, and never have been.
"‘Golonski will go to England to conclude his researches. Kinsky and Charkoff will hold themselves responsible for his life. If either or both fail in their trust, Siberia for life will be the penalty. ”

“ You will not be able to see the face of your client. He will stand behind two curtains, and put out his hands for you to inspect. If you care to accept a fee of fifty guineas, you will be doing us a tremendous favor. ”