The chemist, never very clear-headed at any time, looked perfectly bewildered at being called upon to make such a sudden explanation, and turned helplessly to his assistant, who stood working at his medicine bottles with downcast eyes. "I'm afraid--ahem--really, my memory is so bad," he faltered, childishly; "well, I scarcely--ahem--but I think Monsieur Judas will be able to tell you all about it. I have the--ahem--I have the fullest confidence in Monsieur Judas." "It's more than I should have," thought Fanks, as the assistant silently took the pill-box from his master and opened it. "Eight pilules," he said, counting them. "Yes, eight pills," replied Fanks, taking a seat by the counter, "but, of course, when you made up the prescription there must have been more." "De monsieur weeth de pilules did he geeve dem to monsieur?" "No; I want to know the gentleman's name." "An' for wy, monsieur?" "Never you mind," retorted Octavius, coolly; "you do what you're asked, my good fellow." The "good fellow" gave Mr. Fanks an ugly look; but in another moment was bland and smiling as ever. Mr. Wosk (beckoned by the cherub's head) had gone into the back premises, so the two men were quite alone, of which circumstance Mr. Fanks took advantage by speaking to Monsieur Judas in French, in order to understand him better. Translated, the conversation (guarded on both sides by mutual suspicion) was as follows: "Will monsieur permit me to ask him a few questions? Otherwise," said Judas, with a shrug, "I cannot hope to find the name monsieur requires." "Ask whatever questions you like." "Does monsieur know when the gentleman left this town?" Mr. Fanks made a rapid calculation, and answered promptly: "I'm not quite sure; after the 6th and before the 13th of the present month. But your best plan will be to go back from the 13th of November." "Certainly, monsieur." Judas disappeared behind the neat screen, and rapidly turned up the order book beginning with the 13th of November, as directed. "They are tonic pills, I see, monsieur," he called out. "Yes, it is marked on the box." In another moment Fanks heard an exclamation of surprise behind the screen, and shortly afterwards Monsieur Judas emerged, carrying the order book with him. He was visibly agitated, and his lean hands trembled as he placed the book on the counter. "What is the matter?" asked Fanks, suspiciously, rising to his feet. "I will explain to monsieur later on," said Judas, with a sickly smile. "At present, however, here is what you want. These pills were made up for Monsieur Sebastian Melstane." "Sebastian Melstane," muttered Fanks, thoughtfully. "Oh, that was his name." "Yes, Sebastian Melstane," said Judas, slowly. "He bought these pills on the 11th of November, and went down to Jarlchester the next day." "How do you know he went to Jarlchester?" asked Fanks, considerably startled.