Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/45

34 Come, sir, enough of this. I" The Archduke started from his seat with a cry. His body was bent in a bow. A horrible grin distorted his face. He fell down and was convulsed He gasped; his pale cheeks became of a dusky blue. He writhed and lay still

"So that's that," Reggie said. "I wondered what he wanted with half a dozen."

"What is it?" Lomas muttered.

"Oh, strychnine poisoning. He's swallowed a grain or so."

"My God! Can you do anything?"

Reggie shrugged. "He's as dead as the table."

After a while, "Well! It's a way out," Lomas said. "But I can't understand the fellow."

"Oh, I don't understand it all," Reggie admitted. "He was out to kill his brother. That meant being Emperor. But why kill him now more than before? And the Archduchess. She is straight enough, I know. But just how she was to this fellow I don't see."

"There's not much in that," Lomas said. "Maurice couldn't stand the Court, and it was common talk he meant to resign the succession. While he was quiet over here in England Leopold felt safe. But lately they tell me Maurice has been making up his mind to go back. Duty to his country, don't you know? The Archduchess was strong against