If I live a little longer I will try once more, with my mind refreshed by other studies." Madame Fontaine paused before she wrapped the bottle up again in its covering, and looked with longing eyes at the ciphers which filled the inner side of the sheet of paper.

There, perhaps, was the announcement of the discovery of the antidote; or possibly, the record of some more recent experiment which placed the terrible power of the poison in a new light! And there also was the cipher defying her to discover its secret! The fifth bottle that she took from the chest contained "Alexander's Wine." The sixth, and last, was of the well-remembered blue glass, which had played such an important part in the event of Mr.Keller's recovery.
David Glenney had rightly conjectured that the label had been removed from the blue-glass bottle.

Madame Fontaine shook it out of the empty compartment.

The inscription (also in the German language) ran as follows:-- "Antidote to Alexander's Wine.

The fatal dose, in case of accident, is indicated by the notched slip of paper attached to the bottle.