lice are hot upon the case. There was no evidence as
to the person by whom the poison was administered, but by a hideous
combination of circumstances one person before many hours have passed
will be under the surveillance of the police."

"And that person?" Brott asked.

The Prince looked round and lowered his voice, although the room was
empty.

"Lucille," he whispered hoarsely.

Brott stepped backwards as though he were shot.

"What damned folly!" he exclaimed.

"It is possible that you may not think so directly," Saxe Leinitzer
continued. "The day it happened Lucille bought this same poison, and it
is a rare one, from a man who has absconded. An hour before this man was
found dead, she called at the hotel, left no name, but went upstairs
to Mr. Sabin's room, and was alone there for five minutes, The man died
from a single grain of poison which had been introduced into Mr. Sabin's
special liqueur glass, out of which he was accustomed to drink three or
four times a day. All these are absolute facts, which at any moment may
be discovered by the police. Added to that she is living apart from her
husband, and is known to be on bad terms with him."

Brott as gripping the back of a chair. He was white to the lips.

"You don't think," he cried hoarsely. "You can't believe--"

"No" the Prince answered quickly, "I don't believe anything of the sort.
I will tell you as man to man that I believe she wished Mr. Sabin dead.
You yourself should know why. But no, I don't believe she went so far
as that. It was an accident. But what we have to do is to save her. Will
you help?"

"Yes."

"She must cross to the Continent to-night before the police get on the
scent. Afterwards she must double back to Havre and take the Bordlaise
for New York on Saturday. Once there I can guarantee her protection."

"Well?"

"She cannot go alone."

"You mean that I should go with her?"

"Yes! Get her right away, and I will employ special detectives and have
the matter cleared up, if ever it can be. But if she remains here I
fear that nothing can save her from the horror of an arrest, even if
afterwards we are able to save her. You yourself risk much, Brott. The
only question that remains is, will you do it?"

"At her bidding--yes!" Brott declared.

"Wait here," the Prince answered.

CHAPTER XXXIX

Saxe Leinitzer returned to the morning-room, and taking the key from his
pocket unlocked the door. Inside Lucille was pale with fu