Bob laughed a little awkwardly. "You have made me give evidence against myself," he said.
Here there came a knock at the door, and Bob calling "Come in," the landlady of the house made her appearance.
"Mr. Elsdale is downstairs," she said, "and was coming up, when I told him you had a friend with you, and he sent me to ask whether he would be intruding."
Bob looked at me inquiringly.
"Not so far as I am concerned," I said; "I should very much like to make your nephew's acquaintance."
"Ask Mr. Elsdale to come up," said Bob; and the landlady departed.
"I have more than a passing fancy to see your nephew," I said; "you tell me he has delusions; what he says in our discussion, which I don't propose to drop when he joins us, may be of interest."
As I spoke Ronald Elsdale entered the room.
"My nephew, Ronald Elsdale," said Bob, introducing us. "My old friend, Mr. Emery."
As we shook hands my attention was diverted to an incident which, insignificant as it might appear, struck me as very singular; the skeleton cat had risen from the hearthrug and was now standing at Ronald Elsdale's feet, looking up into his face.