Supposing that I had been alone, so that he could have approached to a shorter distance.

In that case he would not have missed, and the thing would have been done.
You see how it was intended to be done, I suppose ?" "I think so," I answered; "but I should like to hear your account of the process." "Well, you see, he first finds out that I am returning by a late train--which he seems to have done--and he waits for me at the terminus.
Meanwhile he fills the cylinder with a solution of a powerful alkaloidal poison, which is easily done by dipping the needle into the liquid and sucking at the small hole near the back end, when the piston will be drawn up and the liquid will follow it.

You notice that the upper side of the piston is covered with vaseline--introduced through the hole, no doubt--which would prevent the poison from coming out into the mouth, and make the cylinder secure from leakage.

On my arrival, he follows me on his bicycle until I pass through a sufficiently secluded neighbourhood.

Then he approaches me, or passes me and waits round a corner, and shoots at pretty close range.