How
was it then, that I, also, had not been overcome by it? I reflected
that the drug must have been put into our wine; because that would
explain my condition. I never drink when eating. Naturally
inclined to obesity, I am restricted to a dry diet. I shook
Rouletabille, but could not succeed in waking him. This, no doubt,
was the work of Mademoiselle Stangerson.
She had certainly thought it necessary to guard herself against this
young man as well as her father. I recalled that the steward, in
serving us, had recommended an excellent Chablis which, no doubt,
had come from the professor's table.
More-than a quarter of an hour passed. I resolved, under the
pressing circumstances, to resort to extreme measures. I threw a
pitcher of cold water over Rouletabille's head. He opened his eyes.
I beat his face, and raised him up. I felt him stiffen in my arms
and heard him murmur: "Go on, go on; but don't make any noise." I
pinched him and shook him until he was able to stand up. We were
saved!
"They sent me to sleep," he said. "Ah! I passed an awful quarter
of an hour before giving way.
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