Page:William Le Queux - The Temptress.djvu/102

Rh appreciated good liquor, Pierre took the flask, and, unscrewing the top, placed the mouth to his lips.

Then he handed it to Adolphe.

"I'm so thirsty that I feel as if I could drink all that's in the flask," remarked the latter.

"You couldn't do it in your present state," argued Bérard incredulously.

"It's very strong," commented Pierre. "I doubt whether you could drain it at one draught. In fact, I'm open to bet you half a sovereign that you won't."

"Bah! it's just as easy as winking," replied the intoxicated man, regarding the flask with a complacent smile. "With m'sieur's permission I'll drink his health."

"By all means," replied Holt, with a laugh. "I'm really afraid, however, that we shall be compelled to see you home afterwards."

"Never fear; I'm safe enough in your hands," he answered, with a grin. "If there's one thing I'm more fond of than another, it's good cognac. See!"

He lifted the flask to his lips, and drained it at one pull.

Scarcely had he done so when he uttered a loud cry of pain, clutching convulsively at his throat.

"Diable! it's—it's stronger than I bargained for!" he gasped, with an effort to laugh. " I feel as if everything—why, it's all going round. Mon dieu! You have"—

He struggled to his feet, but reeled back upon the cushions, and in a few moments was unconscious.

By this time the train had left St. James's Park, and was travelling at a fair speed midway between that station and Victoria.

When it arrived at the latter place three men only were in the compartment, and they alighted. They did not speak, but hurried along the platform as if un-