"You ain't the young fellow that came before," the nurse said, eying him critically. "No, he's a friend of mine, and he asked me to come." "All right. What's the directions?" "You're to give the gentleman the white mixture right away, and at midnight, the red." "Are those the doctor's orders?" "Yes, ma'am." "I wish you'd wait here, while I go and finish my supper; the folks are at dinner and no one will know." The man's dark eyes flashed. "Cospetto!" he muttered. "I'd like nothing better." "What's that you said?" asked the nurse. "Nothing, ma'am. I'll be glad to stay." "What countryman are you?" "Italian." "Thought you were a foreigner. Well! you stay here and I'll give you ten cents when I come back. If he wakes up, call me, by ringing the bell." "Yes, ma'am." The nurse at once quitted the room, and the Italian advanced to the bed, looking intently at Harkaway. "It is he," he said in a low tone. "I have tracked him to his lair. Now for the medicine, but how to give it him? He will know me. Perhaps I had best wait for the nurse." He handled the bottle, which was an ordinary two-ounce vial, and regarded it affectionately. "Let him once swallow _this_," he added, "and he will never wake up more." Harkaway moved restlessly in his sleep. Had he an intimation that Bambino was near him, preparing to carry out another iniquitous scheme generated by his fertile brain? In sober truth, to give the fellow his due, he served his master well. Lord Maltravers had no cause to be dissatisfied with him. The daylight had faded away and there was but a dim twilight existing, which made it difficult to discern objects. Everything looked shadowy and ghostly. Bambino had seen Harkaway's insensible condition when he was carried off the course and he had tracked him to the Van Hoosens' house. The white mixture in the vial was a subtle poison, and he had gained an entrance to the house by pretending that he was a clerk from the drug store. Touching Jack on the arm, he saw him awake. "What is it?" he asked, dreamily. "Your medicine," replied Bambino. "Give it me, and let me sleep. I am drowsy." "It is to make you sleep," said the Italian, with a grim smile. He took up a glass and poured out the colorless fluid, which in reality was a death draught. Harkaway sat up and extended his hand for it, and having received it, raised the glass to his lips. At this critical moment the door opened and the doctor who was attending him made his appearance. "What's this?" he said. "No light? and what have you got in your hand? I am the doctor, don't you know me?" "Medicine!" answered Jack, replying to the first question. "Eh? I don't understand," said the doctor, with a puzzled air. "Some stuff you sent me, I suppose." Bambino bent over the bed. "Drink," he whispered. Jack was about to do so, but the doctor snatched the glass out of his hands. At the same time, he struck a match and lighted the gas. "Now, let us see," he exclaimed.