know it was poison — I swear I didn’t!”

“What did you take it to be, then? Jam? Two grains of atropine will cause death.”

For answer she clung to my knees. I released myself, and moved away a few steps. She jumped up, and made a dash for the door, but I happened to have locked it.

“Where is Madame Deschamps?” I asked.

“She returns to Paris to-morrow. Monsieur will let me go. I was only a tool.”

“I will consider that matter, Yvette,” I said. “In my opinion you are a thoroughly wicked girl, and I wouldn’t trust you any further than I could see you. For the present, you will have an opportunity to meditate over your misdoings.”