the sun
shines in at the curtain.'

But there was no responsive sunshine upon Sturk's stern; haggard face,
as he said very low--still looking on the foot-board--'I thank you,
doctor.'

So after a few more questions, and a little bit of talk with Mrs. Sturk,
they got that good lady out of the room, and said Lowe to the patient--

'I'm sorry to trouble you, Dr. Sturk, but there's a weighty matter at
which you last night hinted; and Dr. Toole thought you then too weak;
and in your present state, I would not now ask you to speak at any
length, were the matter of less serious moment.'

'Yes, Sir,' said Sturk, but did not seem about to speak any more; and
after a few seconds, Lowe continued.

'I mean, Dr. Sturk, touching the murder of Mr. Beauclerc, which you then
said was committed by the same Charles Archer, who assaulted you in the
park.'

'Ay, Sir,' said Sturk.

'The same murder of which Lord Dunoran was adjudged guilty.'

Sturk moved his lips with a sort of nod.

'And, Doctor Sturk, you remember you then said you had yourself _seen_
Charles Archer do that murder.'

Sturk lifted his hand feebly enough to his forehead, and his lips moved,
and his eyes closed. They thought he was praying--possibly he was; so
they did not interrupt him; and he said, all on a sudden, but in a low
dejected way, and with many pauses--

'Charles Archer. I never saw another such face; 'tis always before me.
He was a man that everybody knew was dangerous--a damnable profligate
besides--and, as all believed, capable of anything, though nobody could
actually bring anything clearly home to him but his bloody duels, which,
however, were fairly fought. I saw him only thrice in my life before I
saw him here. In a place, at Newmarket, where they played hazard, was
once; and I saw him fight Beau Langton; and I saw him murder Mr.
Beauclerc. I saw it all!' And the doctor swore a shuddering oath.

'I lay in the small room or closet, off the chamber in which he slept. I
was suffering under a bad fracture, and dosed with opium. 'Tis all very
strange, Sir. I saw everything that happened. I saw him stab Beauclerc.
Don't question me; it tires me. I think 'twas a dagger. It looked like a
small bayonet I'll tell you how--all, by-and-by.'

He sipped a little wine and water, and wiped his lips with a very
tremulous handkerchief.

'I never spoke of it, for I could not. The whole of that five minutes'
work slipped from my mind, and was gone quite and