sage at once, and read, "And said
declarant, being examined, saith, That he remembers having made the
sauce to the said sturgeon-fish, after eating of which the said noble
Lord was taken ill; and he put the usual ingredients and condiments
therein, namely--"

"Pass over his trash," said the Earl, "and see whether he had not been
supplied with his materials by a herbalist called Demetrius."

"It is even so," answered the secretary. "And he adds, he has not since
seen the said Demetrius."

"This accords with thy fellow's story, Tressilian," said the Earl; "call
him hither."

On being summoned to the Earl's presence, Wayland Smith told his former
tale with firmness and consistency.

"It may be," said the Earl, "thou art sent by those who have begun this
work, to end it for them; but bethink, if I miscarry under thy medicine,
it may go hard with thee."

"That were severe measure," said Wayland, "since the issue of medicine,
and the end of life, are in God's disposal. But I will stand the risk. I
have not lived so long under ground to be afraid of a grave."

"Nay, if thou be'st so confident," said the Earl of Sussex, "I will take
the risk too, for the learned can do nothing for me. Tell me how this
medicine is to be taken."

"That will I do presently," said Wayland; "but allow me to condition
that, since I incur all the risk of this treatment, no other physician
shall be permitted to interfere with it."

"That is but fair," replied the Earl; "and now prepare your drug."

While Wayland obeyed the Earl's commands, his servants, by the artist's
direction, undressed their master, and placed him in bed.

"I warn you," he said, "that the first operation of this medicine will
be to produce a heavy sleep, during which time the chamber must be kept
undisturbed, as the consequences may otherwise he fatal. I myself will
watch by the Earl with any of the gentlemen of his chamber."

"Let all leave the room, save Stanley and this good fellow," said the
Earl.

"And saving me also," said Tressilian. "I too am deeply interested in
the effects of this potion."

"Be it so, good friend," said the Earl. "And now for our experiment; but
first call my secretary and chamberlain."

"Bear witness," he continued, when these officers arrived--"bear witness
for me, gentlemen, that our honourable friend Tressilian is in no way
responsible for the effects which this medicine may produce upon me, the
taking it being my own free action an