He refused, however, to trouble me; sending word that he only wanted rest.

Fortunately one of my assistants happened to see him, and at once felt the necessity of calling in my help.
"The man was a poor half-witted friendless creature, whom I had employed out of pure pity to keep my laboratory clean, and to wash and dry my bottles.

He had sense enough to perform such small services as these, and no more.

Judge of my horror when I went to his bedside, and instantly recognized the symptoms of poisoning by "Alexander's Wine!" "I ran back to my laboratory, and unlocked the medicine-chest which held the antidote.

In the next compartment, the poison itself was always placed.