He had already decided how the deed was to be done.

The common wine of the country was always served to the laborers at the table, but the Duke kept a better quality for his own drinking, and the bottle containing this was after meals placed on a shelf in a cupboard in the dining-room.
It was thus within every one's reach, but not a soul in the household would have ventured to lay a finger upon it.

Norbert's thoughts fell upon this bottle, and in his mind's eye he could see it standing in its accustomed place.

He crossed the courtyard, and the laborers, engaged in their tasks, gazed at him curiously.

He passed them, and entered the dining-room, which was untenanted.