ow--where--when did you get that?" she stammered.

"What's the matter with it?" asked Zaidos. "Isn't it my medicine?
I've been taking it all the time, haven't I?"

The nurse had regained her self-control and even smiled.

"Have you been asleep this morning?" she asked, as though the medicine
no longer interested her.

"Just woke up," said Zaidos. "I had a fine nap."

"That's good," said the nurse and walked away, taking the bottle in her
hand.

But five minutes later, when she reported to the doctor, her manner was
not so calm.

"What do you think?" she cried, closing the door of the tiny laboratory
where he was working with an assistant. "What can this mean? This
bottle was on young Zaidos' table instead of the medicine I left there!"

The doctor scanned the label.

"Bichloride of mercury," he said. "Why, that's queer!" He pondered.
"What do you make of it?"

"I can't make a _guess_ even," said the nurse. "There is no one out
there who is delirious, and Zaidos could not get up on that broken leg
in his sleep, if he wanted to. If it was not such a crazy idea, I
should say someone had a reason for getting rid of Zaidos, but he is
very popular, and his cousin thinks the world of him."

The incident was mysterious as well as serious. They discussed it and
made guesses which flew wide of the mark. The doctor quietly ordered a
change of medicine for Zaidos, and removing the bottles on his table,
gave the nurse instructions to give him the doses herself. She did so,
without rousing any suspicion in Zaidos' open and confident mind, _but
Velo Kupenol noticed the change_.

He was more attentive to his cousin than ever.

Only in the rare moments when he was alone and secure from observation
did he allow himself to take off the mask of good nature and
kindliness, and let those thin features of his twist into the wicked
leer that well fitted them. He no longer saw himself in the part of
hero. He was too eager to remove from his way the boy who stood
between him and all the luxury he craved. But his common sense told
him that at the present, at least, there was nothing to be done. He
would have to await further developments. In the meantime he would
gain his cousin's confidence. That ought to be easy. Zaidos was the
most friendly fellow he had ever seen. Velo resolved that if ever he
came in for the Zaidos name and title, he would show them just how
haughty and overbearing a young nobleman could be