"The Looking-Glass Drops.Fatal dose,as discovered by experiment on animals,the same as in the case of 'Alexander's Wine.'But the effect,in producing death,more rapid,and more indistinguishable,in respect of presenting traces on post-mortem examination."The lines thus written were partially erased by strokes of the pen--drawn through them at a later date,judging by the color of the ink.In the last blank space left at the foot of the label,these words were added--also in ink of a fresher color:
"After many patient trials,I can discover no trustworthy antidote to this infernal poison.Under these circumstances,I dare not attempt to modify it for medical use.I would throw it away--but I don't like to be beaten.If I live a little longer I will try once more,with my mind refreshed by other studies."Madame Fontaine paused before she wrapped the bottle up again in its covering,and looked with longing eyes at the ciphers which filled the inner side of the sheet of paper.There,perhaps,was the announcement of the discovery of the antidote;or possibly,the record of some more recent experiment which placed the terrible power of the poison in a new light!And there also was the cipher defying her to discover its secret!
The fifth bottle that she took from the chest contained "Alexander's Wine."The sixth,and last,was of the well-remembered blue glass,which had played such an important part in the event of Mr.Keller's recovery.
David Glenney had rightly conjectured that the label had been removed from the blue-glass bottle.Madame Fontaine shook it out of the empty compartment.The inscription (also in the German language)ran as follows:--"Antidote to Alexander's Wine.The fatal dose,in case of accident,is indicated by the notched slip of paper attached to the bottle.Two fluid drachms of the poison (more than enough to produce death)were accidentally taken in my experience.So gradual is the deadly effect that,after a delay of thirty-six hours before my attention was called to the case,the administration of the antidote proved successful.The doses are to be repeated every three or four hours.Any person watching the patient may know that the recovery is certain,and that the doses are therefore to be discontinued,by these signs:the cessation of the trembling in the hands;the appearance of natural perspiration;and the transition from the stillness of apathy to the repose of sleep.For at least a week or ten days afterwards a vegetable diet,with cream,is necessary as a means of completing the cure."She laid the label aside,and looked at the two bottles--the poison and the antidote--ranged together at her feet.
"Power!"she thought,with a superb smile of triumph."The power that Ihave dreamed of all my life is mine at last!Alone among mortal creatures,I have Life and Death for my servants.You were deaf,Mr.
Keller,to my reasons,and deaf to my entreaties.What wonderful influence brought you to my feet,and made you the eager benefactor of my child?My servant Death,who threatened you in the night;and my servant Life,who raised you up in the morning.What a position!I stand here,a dweller in a populous city--and every creature in it,from highest to lowest,is a creature in my power!"She looked through the window of her room over the houses of Frankfort.
At last her sleepy eyes opened wide;an infernal beauty irradiated her face.For one moment,she stood--a demon in human form.The next,she suddenly changed into a timid woman,shaken in every limb by the cold grasp of fear.
What influence had wrought the transformation?
Nothing but a knock at the door.
"Who's there?"she cried.
The voice that answered her was the voice of Jack Straw.
"Hullo,there,Mrs.Fontaine!Let me in."
She placed a strong constraint on herself;she spoke in friendly tones.
"What do you want,Jack?"
"I want to show you my keys."
"What do I care about the crazy wretch's keys?"--was the thought that passed through Madame Fontaine's mind,when Jack answered her from the outer side of the door.But she was still careful,when she spoke to him,to disguise her voice in its friendliest tones.
"Excuse me for keeping you waiting,Jack.I can't let you in yet.""Why not?"
"Because I am dressing.Come back in half an hour;and I shall be glad to see you."There was no reply to this.Jack's step was so light that it was impossible to hear,through the door,whether he had gone away or not.
After waiting a minute,the widow ventured on peeping out.Jack had taken himself off.Not a sign of him was to be seen,when she bent over the railing of the corridor,and looked down on the stairs.
She locked herself in again."I hope I haven't offended him!"she thought,as she returned to the empty medicine-chest.
The fear that Jack might talk of what had happened to him in the laboratory at Wurzburg,and that he might allude to his illness in terms which could not fail to recall the symptoms of Mr.Keller's illness,was constantly present to her mind.She decided on agreeably surprising him by a little present,which might help her to win his confidence and to acquire some influence over him.As a madman lately released from Bedlam,it might perhaps not greatly matter what he said.But suspicion was easily excited.Though David Glenney had been sent out of the way,his aunt remained at Frankfort;and an insolent readiness in distrusting German ladies seemed to run in the family.
Having arrived at these conclusions,she gave her mind again to the still unsettled question of the new lock to the medicine-chest.
Measuring the longest of the bottles (the bottle containing the antidote),she found that her dressing case was not high enough to hold it,while the chest was in the locksmith's workshop.Her trunks,on the other hand,were only protected by very ordinary locks,and were too large to be removed to the safe keeping of the cupboard.She must either leave the six bottles loose on the shelf or abandon the extra security of the new lock.
