pon him, but directly after he was as keenly noting every movement and
look of James Barron, to see if there was the slightest shade of
recognition.

At last, apparently satisfied, he said aloud:

"Well, Mr Cousin, been for your morning visit?"

Barron seemed as if an appeal to his ear was the way to attract his
attention, and not to the eyes; for he looked up with a slight display
of animation, and he nodded.

"Yes," he said, "been to get shaved--been to get shaved."

He reached over to the fireplace and took the pipe, tapped it slowly on
the hob, sat back, passed his hand over his face again in search of the
stubble, and then leaned forward to get the jar from the table; after
which he began to fill his pipe by pinching out a sufficient quantity
from the jar, placing it in his left palm; and applying the opening of
the bowl thereto, worked it round and round till the whole of the
tobacco had been worked in, when, after a finishing pressure with one
finger, he took a match-box from his pocket and began to smoke in placid
content.

Brettison still watched his friend intently, to see the effect of all
this upon him; and after a quick and meaning glance, he turned to
Barron.

"Tobacco good?" he said,

"Tobacco? Yes, capital tobacco. Have a pipe?"

"Not now. I've brought a friend to see you."

"Friend? Where is he?" said Barron, peering round through the smoke.
"Ho, there! How do--how do? Have a pipe?"

Stratton made no reply, but gazed at the man in horror.

"Never been shot, I suppose?" said Barron suddenly.

Stratton started as if he had been stung.

"No, no," said Brettison hastily. "My friend has never been shot."

"Ho! pity. Can't grasp it, then. You've never been shot either, but
you do. Wonderful case mine, eh?"

"Yes, very," said Brettison.

"Can't find the bullet, you know. Big bullet shot me; I want it to have
it set for my watch chain--I say."

"Yes."

"Doctor's very proud of me, eh!"

"Yes; he considers yours a wonderful case."

"Yes; wonderful case."

"How did it happen?" said Brettison, with a glance at his friend.

"Happen? Ah! I can't find out how it happened. Must have been before
I was born."

This last in a very thoughtful tone; and then, more loudly:

"Of course, if it had happened since, I should have known, eh?"

"Very probably," said Brettison.

"I often try to think about it; but it don't matter. I say."

"Yes."

"Doctor's very proud of my case,