Therefore I replied: "I will do as you wish, monsieur.

Having placed myself in your hands, I must obey.

In this particular case," I added, looking at Zara, "obedience is very agreeable to me." Heliobas smiled and seemed satisfied.

He then took a small goblet from a side-table and left the room.

Returning, however, almost immediately with the cup filled to the brim, he said, handing it to me: "Drink this--it is your dose for to-night; and then you will go home, and straight to bed." I drank it off at once.