ave come. He only comes
when there is no one downstairs."

"Ah, Saints Peter and Paul pity a poor woman. Who do you think it is,
then? Who do you think it is? I can't think any more. Tell me, tell me
that. You ought to know--you know everything. Come--who? I demand the
truth. Who? Still some agent of the Committee, of the Central Committee?
Still the Nihilists?"

"If it was only that!" said Rouletabille quietly.

"You have sworn to drive me mad! What do you mean by your 'if it was
only that'?"

Rouletabille, imperturbable, did not reply.

"What have you done with the potion?" said he.

"The potion? The glass of the crime! I have locked it in my room, in the
cupboard--safe, safe!"

"Ah, but, madame, it is necessary to replace it where you took it from."

"What!"

"Yes, after having poured the poison into a phial, to wash the glass and
fill it with another potion."

"You are right. You think of everything. If the general wakes and wants
his potion, he must not be suspicious of anything, and he must be able
to have his drink."

"It is not necessary that he should drink."

"Well, then, why have the drink there?"

"So that the person can be sure, madame, that if he has not drunk it is
simply because he has not wished to. A pure chance, madame, that he is
not poisoned. You understand me this time?"

"Yes, yes. O Christ! But how now, if the general wakes and wishes to
drink his narcotic?"

"Tell him I forbid it. And here is another thing you must do.
When--Someone--comes into the general's chamber, in the morning, you
must quite openly and naturally throw out the potion, useless and vapid,
you see, and so Someone will have no right to be astonished that the
general continues to enjoy excellent health."

"Yes, yes, little one; you are wiser than King Solomon. And what will I
do with the phial of poison?"

"Bring it to me."

"Right away."

She went for it and returned five minutes later.

"He is still asleep. I have put the glass on the table, out of his
reach. He will have to call me."

"Very good. Then push the door to, close it; we have to talk things
over."

"But if someone goes back up the servants' staircase?"

"Be easy about that. They think the general is poisoned already. It is
the first care-free moment I have been able to enjoy in this house."

"When will you stop making me shake with horror, little demon! You keep
your secret well, I must say. The general is sleeping better than if he