t as ever; they were still keen and gray
and gleaming, like finely tempered steel. Even the mouth, with a
cigarette to close it, was the mouth of Raffles and no other: strong
and unscrupulous as the man himself. It was only the physical strength
which appeared to have departed; but that was quite sufficient to make
my heart bleed for the dear rascal who had cost me every tie I valued
but the tie between us two.

"Think I look much older?" he asked at length.

"A bit," I admitted. "But it is chiefly your hair."

"Whereby hangs a tale for when we've talked ourselves out, though I
have often thought it was that long swim that started it. Still, the
Island of Elba is a rummy show, I can assure you. And Naples is a
rummier!"

"You went there after all?"

"Rather! It's the European paradise for such as our noble selves. But
there's no place that's a patch on little London as a non-conductor of
heat; it never need get too hot for a fellow here; if it does it's
his own fault. It's the kind of wicket you don't get out on, unless
you get yourself out. So here I am again, and have been for the last
six weeks. And I mean to have another knock."

"But surely, old fellow, you're not awfully fit, are you?"

"Fit? My dear Bunny, I'm dead--I'm at the bottom of the sea--and don't
you forget it for a minute."

"But are you all right, or are you not?"

"No, I'm half-poisoned by Theobald's prescriptions and putrid
cigarettes, and as weak as a cat from lying in bed."

"Then why on earth lie in bed, Raffles?"

"Because it's better than lying in gaol, as I am afraid YOU know, my
poor dear fellow. I tell you I am dead; and my one terror is of coming
to life again by accident. Can't you see? I simply dare not show my
nose out of doors--by day. You have no idea of the number of
perfectly innocent things a dead man daren't do. I can't even smoke
Sullivans, because no one man was ever so partial to them as I was in
my lifetime, and you never know when you may start a clew."

"What brought you to these mansions?"

"I fancied a flat, and a man recommended these on the boat; such a good
chap, Bunny; he was my reference when it came to signing the lease.
You see I landed on a stretcher--most pathetic case--old Australian
without a friend in old country--ordered Engadine as last chance--no
go--not an earthly--sentimental wish to die in London--that's the
history of Mr. Maturin. If it doesn't hit you hard, Bunny, y