He bent over his friend until their faces were very close. “And I think I know with what,” he added, thinking aloud. “You have no idea, James, how long he had been in?” “None at all, sir. I didn’t know he was in until you rang me up.” “There is no need to send for a doctor,” Stapleton said, as he straightened himself. “It is nothing dangerous. His pulse is strong, and he will sleep off the effects of the drug. By the way, did anybody call to see him, or ring him up, while he was out this evening?” “Nobody called, sir, but a lady rang him up.” “A lady? At about what time?” The man thought for a moment. “As near as may be, I should say it was nine o’clock, sir.” “Anybody you know? Did she give any name?” “No, sir. It was not a voice I recognized.” “Leave any message?” “No, sir. Just asked where Mr. La Planta was, and I told her at the Alhambra. Then she asked who was with him, and I said you and Mrs. Mervyn-Robertson I knew for certain, and I said I fancied there were others. Then she said ‘Thank you’ and rang off, sir.” Suddenly a thought struck Stapleton, and he slipped his hand into his friend’s pockets. But apparently nothing was missing. From the breast pocket he withdrew a wallet containing notes, and from the trousers pocket a handful of silver. Then he went to the telephone and rang up Jessica. But the voice which answered was not hers. “Ask Mrs. Mervyn-Robertson to come to the telephone, please,” he said. “Is that Mr. Stapleton?” “Yes.” “John speaking, sir, the footman. I am afraid she can’t, sir. She has been taken suddenly ill.” “Ill! How? In what way?” “She fainted dead off, sir, not five minutes after you had gone.” Stapleton paused for an instant. All at once an idea flashed in upon him. “John!” “Sir?” “Is anybody near the telephone? Can anybody hear you speaking?” “One moment, sir.” Stapleton heard a door being quietly closed. “Nobody can hear me now, sir.” “Then tell me--don’t speak loud--did Mrs. Robertson take anything, I mean drink or eat anything, after I had gone out just now?” There was a brief pause, then: “Yes, sir, she drank a glass of champagne at the sideboard.” “Was anybody with her? Or near her? Did anybody ask her if she would have a glass of wine?” “Well, yes, sir. A gentleman asked her. I happened to be near. And I did notice that a lady was by when she drank it. They each had a glass of wine.” “Do you know the lady and gentleman?” “I know them well by sight, sir, but not their names. They have been to supper before; once or twice, I think, but they don’t often come.” “Do they come together?” “I think so, sir.” “And you could describe their appearance to me?” “Certainly, sir.” “Thank you, John. Of course you will say nothing of all this to anybody. You won’t forget that?” “You can rely upon my absolute discretion, sir.” “Good. I shall be back at Cavendish Square within an hour, and I will see you then.” CHAPTER VIII.