'
'But surely the servant in attendance would wipe the mouth of the
bottle?'
'Very carelessly, perhaps. And moreover he would be extremely
unlikely to wipe off all the stuff; some of it has been ingeniously
placed just on the inside edge of the rim. Besides, suppose he
forgot to wipe the bottle?'
'Prince Eugen is always served at dinner by Hans. It is an honour
which the faithful old fellow reserves for himself.'
'But suppose Hans - ' Racksole stopped.
'Hans an accomplice! My dear Racksole, the suggestion is wildly
impossible.'
That night Prince Aribert dined with his august nephew in the
superb dining-room of the Royal apartments. Hans served, the
dishes being brought to the door by other servants. Aribert found
his nephew despondent and taciturn. On the previous day, when,
after the futile interview with Sampson Levi, Prince Eugen had
despairingly threatened to commit suicide, in such a manner as to
make it 'look like an accident', Aribert had compelled him to give
his word of honour not to do so.
'What wine will your Royal Highness take?' asked old Hans in his
soothing tones, when the soup was served.
'Sherry,' was Prince Eugen's curt order.
'And Roman?e-Conti afterwards?' said Hans. Aribert looked up
quickly.
'No, not to-night. I'll try Sillery to-night,' said Prince Eugen.
'I think I'll have Roman?e-Conti, Hans, after all,' he said.
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