'The Countess, returning at the expiration of the half-hour's interval,
finds the room empty. While she is wondering, the Courier opens
the door. What has he been doing out of his bed? He answers,
"I have been protecting my own life, my lady, on the bare chance
that I may recover from the bronchitis for the third time.
If you or the Baron attempts to hurry me out of this world,
or to deprive me of my thousand pounds reward, I shall tell the doctor
where he will find a few lines of writing, which describe your
ladyship's plot. I may not have strength enough, in the case supposed,
to betray you by making a complete confession with my own lips;
but I can employ my last breath to speak the half-dozen words
which will tell the doctor where he is to look. Those words,
it is needless to add, will be addressed to your Ladyship, if I find
your engagements towards me faithfully kept."
'With this audacious preface, he proceeds to state the conditions on
which he will play his part in the conspiracy, and die (if he does die)
worth a thousand pounds.
'Either the Countess or the Baron are to taste the food and drink
brought to his bedside, in his presence, and even the medicines which
the doctor may prescribe for him.
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