Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 14.pdf/255

 220

in a glass of wine and presented it to the Civil circumstances, naturally aroused suspicion, Lieutenant. The dose was so strong that and an autopsy was held. The liver, stom the latter immediately perceived that the ach and intestines were found to present un wine had been tampered with. Suspecting equivocal signs of poisoning, though the the truth, he arose from table crying, physicians were careful to add that it some "Brother, your valet is trying to poison me. times happens that cacaemia produces the Taste this! " La Chausee quickly seized the same effects. The grief of Madame de Brinvilliers was glass, saying that by mistake he had used one containing a few drops of medicine left by in appearance so sincere that she would have one of the servants who had been ill. As been the last person suspected. As for La Chausee, this bravo had managed affairs the lieutenant had drank but little of the mix with so much address as to completely gain ture, the explanation was accepted. The inci dent accordingly passed off without further the good graces of his late master, who had comment, although the victim, we are in even left him a small legacy. From Sainte Croix he received a hundred pistoles with formed, was slightly unwell. After this check, it was not deemed advis promise of perpetual employment as confi able to make another effort in the near fu dential valet. Up to this point everything had been suc ture, and three months were permitted to elapse. Finally, in April, 1670, while the cessful, though, looking at the matter from brothers were passing the Easter vacation a critical standpoint, it cannot be said that at Villequoy, in Beauce, La Chausee re the affair had been managed with any great ceived instructions to administer another degree of dexterity. The physician of the dose. This time it was determined to make day had but slight smattering of toxicology, sure, even at the expense of a number of and was liable to be baffled by poisons lives. The treacherous valet accordingly which any tyro could now detect. The lov placed the poison in a pigeon pie. After din ers were preparing to enjoy their hardly ner, three of the guests who had abstained gained repose, when an event occurred, im from eating it suffered no harm. Seven who possible to have foreseen, which served to had partaken became ill. A peculiarity of bring everything to light. This was "no less the case is found in the fact that although than the sudden death of Sainte Croix. For some time previous to this decease, these seven suffered greatly, the only deaths were those of the two brothers. The lieu .that soldier of fortune, as has been said, ap tenant, whose constitution may have been pears to have regularly taken upon himself undermined by the poison already taken, ex the career of a paid bravo. In all probabil perienced frightful agony. He returned ity he was largely responsible for a number from Villequoy a dying man, and expired of mysterious deaths among the noblesse during the following June. Monsieur d'Au- which shocked Paris about that time. The bray, Counsellor, resisted the effects of the poudre de succession, or " succession powder," was an actuality as well as subject for jest. poison for a longer time. It is probable in A client of Sainte Croix (if the expression deed that I-a Chausee took occasion to ad minister it on several other occasions. may be pardoned) was one Reich de PenauD'Aubray died at last in the midst of dread tier, a man of great influence at court. Al though subsequently acquitted when brought ful suffering. So many deaths in one family, under such to trial, there are excellent grounds for be