, and nodded to his visitor an invitation
to take a chair.

"I'm here, you see, Gammon. Here at last."

"Why did you come?"

"Why?--ah, why indeed!"

Having sighed out this ejaculation he seemed to grow absent, to forget
that he was not alone. A violent cough shook him into wakefulness
again; he stared at Gammon with red eyes full of pain and fear, and
said thickly:

"Are you an honest man--you?

"Well, I hope so; try to be."

"What's his name? You know him, don't you?"

"Do you mean Greenacre?" asked Gammon, feeling very uncomfortable, for
the man before him looked like one who struggles for his last breath.

"Greenacre, yes. What has he told you about me?"

Gammon answered with the simple truth; the situation alarmed him, and
he would have nothing more to do with conspiracy in such a case. He
could not feel sure that his explanations were followed and understood;
now and then the bloodshot eyes turned blankly to him as if in a
drunken dream; but in the end he saw a look of satisfaction.

"You're an honest man, aren't you? We used to know each other, you know
when. My wife likes you, doesn't she?"

"We've always been friends, of course," Gammon replied.

"Would you mind giving me the kettle?" He mixed another glass of
brandy, spilling a great deal in the process. "I don't offer you any,
Greenacre, it's medicine; I take it as such. One doesn't offer one's
friends a glass of medicine, you know, Greenacre."

"My name is Gammon."

"What am I thinking about! There was something I wanted to ask you.
Yes, of course. Does she know?"

"You mean does your wife know who you really are?" said Gammon in a
cautious voice.

"Haven't you told her?"

"Not yet."

"Then I don't think anyone else has."

The man had fallen back upon the pillow. He began to cough, struggled
to raise himself, and became seated on the edge of the bed.

"Well, it's time we were going."

"Where to?" asked Gammon.

The other stared at him in surprise and distress.

"Surely I haven't to tell you all over again! Weren't you listening?
You're a man of business, are you not? Surely you ought to have a clear
head the first thing in the morning."

"Just tell me again in a word or two. What can I do for you? Do you
want to see anybody?"

"Yes, yes, I remember." He laid a hand on his companion's shoulder.
"The matter stands thus, Greenacre I trust you implicitly, once more I
assure you of that; but it is absolutely necessary for me to