I gave a great gasp of astonishment.
"I left the man lying there!" I exclaimed, pointing to the floor.
The doctor took the candle lamp from my hands and held it close to my face, scrutinising me earnestly meanwhile through his glasses; then he leant forward and sniffed suspiciously.
"Do you drink?" he asked abruptly.
Then, noticing my look of growing indignation, he altered his tone slightly.
"Excuse my asking the question," he explained. "But it is the only way in which I can account for your symptoms. Do you see things?"
"Things be d——," I replied hotly. "I would answer with my life that I left that poor old lady lying on her bed grievously wounded not half an hour ago, and the villain who assaulted me insensible in this corner!"
The doctor went to the corner and held the candle in such a way as to shed its light upon the floor.
Then he stooped and picked up something.
"What's this?" he exclaimed, holding it close to the candle. "A glass eye," he continued in astonishment, "a glass eye, as I live!"