"'I trust you, Martia!'
"Then I will leave you for a while, and come back at night, as in the old days. Whenever the north is in you, there am I; seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling with your five splendid wits by day—sleeping your lovely sleep at night; but only able to think with your brain, it seems, and then only when you are fast asleep. I only found it out just now, and saved your earthly life, mon beau somnambule! It was a great surprise to me!
"Don't mention this to any living soul till I give you leave. You will only hear from me on great occasions.
"Martia."
"P. S.—Always leave something to write with by your bedside at night, in case the great occasion should arise. On ne sait pas ce qui peut arriver!"
Bewildered, beside himself, Barty ran to his looking‑glass, and stared himself out of countenance, and almost shouted:
"I trust you, Martia!"
And ceased suddenly to feel the north.
Then he dressed and went to breakfast. Little Frau thought he had gone mad, for he put a five‑franc piece upon the carpet, and made her stand a few feet off from it and cover her left eye with her hand.
"Now follow the point of my stick with your right eye," says he, "and tell me if the five‑franc piece disappears."