He distrusted the man, and believed he would feel no compunction about poisoning Blake, should he consider it safe to do so, but he thought he had convinced him of the contrary.
"I must leave you to decide; but I warn you that I'll hold you responsible if the result's unfortunate." "If you doubt my professional skill or good faith, why do you put your partner in my charge ?" "I have some confidence in your sense of self-interest," Harding answered.

"You'll serve the latter best by curing Blake." Clarke gave him a curious glance.
"I'll try the draught, and it had better be done now," he said.

"There is no time to lose." He moved toward Blake, who lay with half-closed eyes, breathing with apparent difficulty and making feeble restless movements.

Stooping beside him, he took out a very small bottle and carefully let a few drops fall into a spoon.

With some trouble, he got the sick man to swallow them; and then he sat down and turned to Harding.
"I can't predict the result.