I have already inquired as to the wine-clerk, Hubbard.
Now does it not occur to you as extraordinary that on this particular day Mr Hubbard should be ill in bed?
Hubbard, I am informed, is suffering from an attack of stomach poisoning, which has supervened during the night.

He says that he does not know what can have caused it.
His place in the wine cellars will be taken to-day by his assistant, a mere youth, but to all appearances a fairly smart youth.

I need not say that we shall keep an eye on that youth.' 'One moment,' Prince Aribert interrupted.

'I do not quite understand how you think the poisoning was to have been effected.' 'The bottle is now under examination by an expert, who has instructions to remove as little as possible of the stuff which Jules put on the rim of the mouth of it.

It will be secretly replaced in its bin during the day.