“Because I shall be gone. I am feeling quite strong.”
35
“I should like to talk to you about certain people,” pursued Carpentaria.
“Who?”
“Well, Josephus Ilam.”
“I know all about Josephus Ilam.”
“And his mother. Perhaps you don’t know all about his mother.”
Mr. Jetsam jumped to his feet with singular agility.
“Mrs. Ilam! She’s been dead for years,” he said gravely.
“She was very much alive this morning,” replied Carpentaria.