"
"It is true, monsieur," Emil admitted. "A lady who also possessed
the yellow crayon came here the day that--that monsieur incurred
the displeasure of--of his friends. She tried to bribe me to blow
up my laboratory and leave the country, or that I should substitute
a harmless powder for any required by the Prince. I was obliged to
refuse."
"And then?"
"Then she promised me a large sum if you were alive in six months,
and made me at once a payment.
"Dear me," Mr. Sabin said, "this is quite extraordinary."
"I can tell monsieur the lady's name," Emil continued, "for she
raised her veil, and everywhere the illustrated papers have been
full of her picture. It was the lady who was besieged in a little
town of South Africa, and who carried despatches for the general,
disguised as a man."
"Lady Carey!" Mr. Sabin remarked quietly.
"That was the lady's name," Emil agreed.
Mr. Sabin was thoughtful for a few moments. Then he looked up.
"Emil Sachs," he said sternly, "you have given out at least one
portion of your abominable concoction which is meant to end my days.
Whether I shall escape it or not remains to be seen. I am forced at
the best to discharge my servant, and to live the life of a hunted
man. Now you have done enough mischief in the world. To-morrow
morning a messenger will place in your hands two hundred pounds.
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