Then there was a long draught, and, as he drank, Saul stood with his right hand in his pocket.
“Splendid drink. Hah! Feel all the better for it. I say, you might give me a cigar.”
“To be sure.”
Saul watched his host as he turned toward the cabinet, and quick as thought his hand was drawn from his pocket, and what seemed to be a tiny white lozenge was dropped into the whiskey decanter.
“Ah, that looks a good weed,” said Saul, taking the cigar offered to him.
“Have any more whiskey?”
“Thanks, no,” said Saul; and he proceeded to cut off the end of the cigar, while his companion took up and replaced the decanter stopper.
“Smell gets into my nose,” he said. “Tempts one.”
Saul laughed, lit his cigar, shook hands very warmly, as he raised his eyes from the decanter, after seeing that the lozenge had melted. Then looking his companion full in the eyes, he bade him “good-bye” and was gone.
The party at dinner that night was quiet and pleasant, for the host was in his best form. Doctor Lawrence came down and exchanged glances with Hampton consequent upon the alteration they perceived; and when at last the ladies left the table there was very little drinking, the host turning from the table as if in disgust.