t us from Paris, and
entered the Terminus Hotel which adjoins the platform. Later, from the
concierge, we found that Professor Gourbeil of the Facultes des
Sciences et de Medecine, lived in the Avenue Felix Faure, and I
succeeded over the telephone in making an appointment with him for the
following day at noon.

This I kept, going to him alone in order to explain matters.

I found him to be a short, florid-faced man with a shock of white hair
and a short white beard. His house was a rather large one standing
back in a well-kept garden full of flowers, and the room in which he
received me was shaded and cool.

I told him of Professor Vega's recommendation, whereupon he exclaimed
in French:

"Ah! I know Professor Vega. We met last year at our conference in
Paris--a very brilliant man!"

Then, as briefly as I could, I explained how the deadly drug orosin
had been surreptitiously administered to Gabrielle and myself, and its
effects upon us both.

"Orosin!" exclaimed the old savant, raising his thin hands. "Ah! There
is not much hope of the lady's recovery. I have known of only two
cases within my experience. The effect of orosin upon the human brain
is mysterious and lasting. It produces a state of the brain-cells with
which we cannot cope. A larger dose produces strong homicidal
tendencies and inevitable death, and a still larger dose almost
instantaneous death."

I told him how we both had lost all sense of our surroundings for
weeks, and how we were both found at the roadside, she in Hampshire
and I in France.

"You were both victims of some plot; that is evident. Of course you
have invoked the aid of the police?"

I did not reply. I certainly feared to seek the assistance of Scotland
Yard.

He explained to me practically what Professor Vega had done regarding
orosin and its terrible effect.

"There have been other cases of its administration," said the great
alienist. "Somebody must be preparing the drug and selling it for
sinister purposes. Though it is so little known as yet that its
manufacturer must be an expert toxicologist with special knowledge."

"Have you seen many cases of its administration?" I asked eagerly.

"Yes. Quite a number," was the old Professor's reply. "I am in
communication with Doctor Duroc, of the Salpetriere in Paris, and
together we are keeping a record of the cases where orosin is
administered by some mysterious hand. Whose, we have no idea. We leave
that to the Surete. B