Therefore the wine theory is not tenable, my friend.' 'I do not see why,' said Racksole.

'I know nothing of wine as an expert, and I very seldom drink it, but it seems to me that a bottle of wine might be tampered with while it was still in the cellar, especially if there was an accomplice in the hotel.' 'You think, then, that you are not yet rid of all your conspirators ?' 'I think that Jules might still have an accomplice within the building.' 'And that a bottle of wine could be opened and recorked without leaving any trace of the operation ?' Babylon was a trifle sarcastic.
'I don't see the necessity of opening the bottle in order to poison the wine,' said Racksole.

'I have never tried to poison anybody by means of a bottle of wine, and I don't lay claim to any natural talent as a poisoner, but I think I could devise several ways of managing the trick.
Of course, I admit I may be entirely mistaken as to Jules' intentions.' 'Ah!' said Felix Babylon.

'The wine cellars beneath us are one of the wonders of London.

I hope you are aware, Mr Racksole, that when you bought the Grand Babylon you bought what is probably the finest stock of wines in England, if not in Europe.