"You think it's poison, of course ... but what poison?... Besides, I see no toxic symptoms.... It would have to be.... But what are you doing? What's the matter?..."
The two men were talking outside a little sitting-room on the first floor, where Jeanne, seizing the opportunity while the doctor was with her father, had begun her evening meal. Lupin, who was watching her through the open door, saw her lift a cup to her lips and take a few sups.
Suddenly, he rushed at her and caught her by the arm:
"What are you drinking there?"
"Why," she said, taken aback, "only tea!"
"You pulled a face of disgust ... what made you do that?"
"I don't know ... I thought...."
"You thought what?"
"That ... that it tasted rather bitter.... But I expect that comes from the medicine I mixed with it."
"What medicine?"