She took the horn cup from the dragoman.

"Have some yourself, if you want to, Hassan," she invited.

Hassan bowed gravely, filled a cup and drank it off. He stood for a moment
perfectly still, as though something were coming over him which he failed
to understand. Then his lips parted, his eyes for a moment seemed to shoot
from out of his dusky skin. He threw up his arms and fell over on his
side. Laura, who had only sipped her cup, threw it from her. She, too,
reeled for a moment. The Professor and Quest came running up, attracted by
Lenora's shriek.

"They're poisoned!" she cried.

"The Veedemzoo!" Quest shouted. "My God! Pull yourself together, Laura.
Hold up for a minute."

He dashed back to their little encampment and reappeared almost
immediately. He threw Laura's head back and forced some liquid down her
throat.

"It's camphor," he cried. "You'll be all right, Laura. Hold on to
yourself."

He swung round to where the dragoman was lying, forced his mouth open, but
it was too late--the man was dead. He returned to Laura. She stumbled to
her feet. She was pale, and drops of perspiration were standing on her
forehead. She was able to rise to her feet, however, without assistance.

"I am all right now," she declared.