"Now, I've another errand for you," said my untiring master; "you must away to my room again. What a mercy you are shod with velvet, Jane!--a clod-hopping messenger would never do at this juncture. You must open the middle drawer of my toilet-table and take out a little phial and a little glass you will find there,--quick!"

     I flew thither and back, bringing the desired vessels.

     "That's well! Now, doctor, I shall take the liberty of administering a dose myself, on my own responsibility. I got this cordial at Rome, of an Italian charlatan--a fellow you would have kicked, Carter. It is not a thing to be used indiscriminately, but it is good upon occasion: as now, for instance. Jane, a little water."

     He held out the tiny glass, and I half filled it from the water-bottle on the washstand.

     "That will do;--now wet the lip of the phial."

     I did so; he measured twelve drops of a crimson liquid, and presented it to Mason.