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I stooped and picked it up, the feel of the knife’s handle re me suddenly and vividly of the blade I had used to open her er on the lawn before the house, but in the dark confines of the shed, the scent of death heavy in the air and the proof of ritty in reen laas covered with flocks of doves and sparrows, foraging peacefully for cruht with sun

Jao and wash and rest a bit, Sassenach?"

"What? Ohno, I’ll come with you" I was suddenly anxious to have this business done with, and go hoh society for the ether in Jocasta’s sitting roo into what looked like a substantial, if very late, breakfast Brianna cast a sharp look at Ja, and went back to sipping tea, her eyebrows still raised She and Jocasta both wore dressing gowns, and while Roger and Duncan were dressed, they looked pale and scruffy after the adventures of the night Neither had shaved, and Duncan sported a large blue bruise on the side of his face where he had hit the hearthstone in falling, but he seeer had told everyone about our tête-à-tête with Phillip Wylie, and the disappearance of Lucas At least no one asked questions Duncan silently shoved a platter of bacon in Jamie’s direction, and there was no sound for a bit save thenoises of tea being drunk

At last, replete and feeling soan hesitantly to discuss the events of the day--and night--before So ht be best to try to reconstruct events in a logical sort of way I said asic inconored this and firins with Betty, don’t you think?"

"Whether it does or not, I suppose that’s as good a starting point as any, Sassenach," Ja a final slice of toast, looking a it atnoise, but I ignored that, too, with dignity

"Fine Now, I thought Betty was likely drugged when I saw her, but since Dr Fenti her, I couldn’t be positive But we are reasonably sure that Betty did drink drugged punch, is that right?" I looked round the circle of faces, and both Bree and Ja sole in the cup that wasna liquor," Jamie said

"And I talked to the house slaves after I left Da," Brianna added, leaning forward "Two of the wos of drinks at parties, but both of them insisted she was no more than what they called ‘cheerful’ when she helped serve ru rooer confirently "I saw Ulyssesthe day that you made it, Ulysses?"

All heads swiveled toward the butler, who stood closed-faced behind Jocasta’s chair, his neat wig and pressed livery a silent reproach to the general air of exhausted dishevelment

"No, the second," he said softly "The first was all drunk at breakfast" His eyes were alert, if bloodshot, but the rest of his face ranite The household and its servants were his charge, and it was clear that he felt recent events to be a ht" Roger turned back toward ht have snatched a nap since the confrontation with Wylie in the stable, but he didn’t look it

"I didn’t take any notice of Betty myself, but the point is, I think I would surely have noticed, if she were drunk and reeling at that point So would Ulysses, I expect" He glanced over his shoulder for confirmation, and the butler nodded, reluctantly

"Lieutentant Wolff was drunk and reeling," Roger added "Everyone noticed that--they all remarked how early it was for anyone to be in that condition"

Jocastaa s," Jamie summed up neatly, "that the second lot of rum punch was served out just pastheap, steamin’ with drink and a punch cup beside her, nay more than an hour later I’ll no say it couldna be done, but it would be quick work to get mortal in that span of tis"

"So we assued," I said "Thelaudanum Was there soht the lift of my voice and knew the question was addressed to her; she straightened up in her chair, tucking a wisp of white hair back under her ribboned cap She seeht before

"Oh, aye But that’s naught to go by," she objected "Anyone ht it; it’s no sae hard to co the guests who take the stuff regular I daresay they’d have brought a bit with them"

I would have loved to knohich of Jocasta’s acquaintances were opiu on to the next

"Well, wherever the laudanuument--came from, it apparently ended up inside Betty" I turned to Jamie "Now, you said that it occurred to you when you found her that she ed or poisonous--intended for so me closely

"Aye, for ould someone seek to harm or kill a slave?"