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134 of potassium cyanide. "After déjeuner, M'sieu threw himself down upon the divan in the library and went to sleep. Before long he began to snore. For the sake of Madame I tried to persuade him to go up to his room, but M'sieu's temper was very disagreeable. In fact, he threatened François with violence."

"Are the ladies at home?" I asked.

"Madame is reposing in her boudoir, but she left orders that if M. Clamart were to call, he should be shown up immediately. Miss Dalghren has gone out."

He led the way to the stairs and I followed, pausing for a moment to glance into the library. There was John stretched out on his back, snoring to heaven and his face purple. He was not pretty. I wondered if he often did that sort of thing, but did not care to ask.

I followed the old man up the stairs. He announced me at Edith's door, and I heard a sweet, low-pitched voice reply: "Que Monsieur entre."

I went in and closed the door gently behind me. John's drunken snores were filling the whole house. Edith was lying on a chaise-longue by the open window. A thrush was singing in the garden and there was the odour of lilacs. Edith did not rise, but looked up at me with her sweet smile. She was pale, and there were dark shadows under her eyes, but her face was tranquil and the eyes themselves clear and steady as always.

"Good afternoon, Frank," she said. "My warmest congratulations on your success."