"Yes, sir?"
"I can almost discern a likeness to----"
"For the merciful Lord's sake, sir," she cried, "don't say that! If I thought so, I should go mad. I'm scared enough already with what has occurred and the trouble I'm in--and Lemon talking in his sleep all the night through, and having the most horrible nightmares--and me trembling and shaking in my bed with what I'm forced to hear--it's unbearable, sir; it's unbearable!"
I was becoming very excited. Unless Mrs. Lemon had lost her senses, there was in this common house a frightful and awful mystery. And Mrs. Lemon had sent for me to fathom it! What was I about to hear--what to discover?
I strove to speak in a calm voice.
"You say your husband took to his bed yesterday, and that you fear he will never rise from it. Then he is in bed at this moment?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where is his bedroom?"
"On the first floor back, sir."
"Can he hear us talking?"