It was a natural one, the result undoubtedly of having noticed two small cordial glasses standing on a little table over against the fireplace.

When I was conscious again of my own fears, I crossed to the table and peered into these glasses.
They were both empty.

However, they had not been so long.

In each I found traces of anisette cordial, and though no bottle stood near I was very confident that it could readily be found somewhere in the room.

What had preceded and followed the drinking of this cordial?
As I raised my head from bending over these glasses--not club glasses, by the way--I caught sight of my face in the mantel mirror.