One result of Madame’s illness was that M. Vandeloup had met Dr Gollipeck, and the two, though apparently dissimilar in both character and appearance, had been attracted to one another by a liking which they had in common.  This was the study of toxicology, a science at which the eccentric old man had spent a lifetime.  He found in Vandeloup a congenial spirit, for the young Frenchman had a wonderful liking for the uncanny subject; but there was a difference in the aims of both men, Gollipeck being drawn to the study of poisons from a pure love of the subject, whereas Vandeloup wanted to find out the secrets of toxicology for his own ends, which were anything but disinterested.

Wearied of the dull routine of the office work, Vandeloup was taking a walk in the meadows which surrounded the Pactolus, when he saw Dr Gollipeck shuffling along the dusty white road from the railway station.

‘Good day, Monsieur le Medecin,’ said Vandeloup, gaily, as he came up to the old man; ‘are you going to see our mutual friend?’

Gollipeck, ever sparing of words, nodded in reply, and trudged on in silence, but the Frenchmen, being used to the eccentricities of his companion, was in nowise offended at his silence, but went on talking in an animated manner.

‘Ah, my dear friend,’ he said, pushing his straw hat back on his fair head; ‘how goes on the great work?’

‘Capitally,’ returned the doctor, with a complacent smile; ’just finished “Catherine de Medici”—­wonderful woman, sir—­quite a mistress of the art of poisoning.’

‘Humph,’ returned Vandeloup, thoughtfully, lighting a cigarette, ’I do not agree with you there; it was her so-called astrologer, Ruggieri, who prepared all her potions.  Catherine certainly had the power, but Ruggieri possessed the science—­a very fair division of labour for getting rid of people, I must say—­but what have you got there?’ nodding towards a large book which Gollipeck carried under his arm.

‘For you,’ answered the other, taking the book slowly from under his arm, and thereby causing another button to fly off, ’quite new,—­ work on toxicology.’

‘Thank you,’ said Vandeloup, taking the heavy volume and looking at the title; ‘French, I see!  I’m sure it will be pleasant reading.’

The title of the book was ’Les Empoisonneurs d’Aujourd’hui, par mm.  Prevol et Lebrun’, and it had only been published the previous year; so as he turned over the leaves carelessly, M. Vandeloup caught sight of a name which he knew.  He smiled a little, and closing the book put it under his arm, while he turned smilingly towards his companion, whom he found looking keenly at him.

‘I shall enjoy this book immensely,’ he said, touching the volume.  Dr Gollipeck nodded and chuckled in a hoarse rattling kind of way.

‘So I should think,’ he answered, with another sharp look, ’you are a very clever young man, my friend.’

Vandeloup acknowledged the compliment with a bow, and wondered mentally what this old man meant.  Gaston, however, was never without an answer, so he turned to Gollipeck again with a nonchalant smile on his handsome lips.