If you
require more of me, I say that you are overstepping your authority,
and I refuse. Set the black cross against my name if you will. I
will take the risk."
The Prince came a little nearer to her. She held her own bravely
enough, but there was a look in his face which terrified her.
"Lucille," he said, "you force me to disclose something which I
have kept so far to myself. I wished to spare you anxiety, but
you must understand that your safety depends upon your remaining
in this house, and in keeping apart from all association with
--your husband."
"You will find it difficult," she said, "to convince me of that."
"On the contrary," he said, "I shall find it easy--too easy,
believe me. You will remember my finding you at the wine-shop of
Emil Sachs?"
"Yes!"
"You refused to tell me the object of your visit. It was foolish,
for of course I was informed. You procured from Emil a small
quantity of the powder prepared according to the recipe of Herr
Estentrauzen, and for which we paid him ten thousand marks. It is
the most silent, the most secret, the most swift poison yet
discovered."
"I got it for myself," she said coldly. "There have been times
when I have felt that the possession of something of that sort was
an absolute necessity."
"I do not question you as to the reason for your getting it," he
answered.
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