“I didn’t want to worry poor Peggy. And her father might set about you if he knew the facts, so I’m probably saving you a hiding as well as a period in jail. The only reliable witness we had as to events in Tomlin’s place was a commercial traveler, and he is positive that the house closed at ten o’clock. However, that’s all right. How do you account for the marvelous improvement in your health? Dr. Foxton cannot understand your illness. He says you are wiry, and have a strong constitution.”
“Dr. Foxton jolly near knocked me up,” said Elkin. “I took his medicine till I was sick as a cat.”
“But you took spirits, too.”
“That’s nothing fresh. Anyhow, I’ve dropped both, and am picking up every hour.”
“Since when?”
“Since yesterday morning, if you want to know.”
“I do. I’m most interested. Dr. Foxton doesn’t compound his own prescriptions, does he?”
“No. I get ’em made up at Siddle’s.”
“Ah. These country chemists often keep drugs in stock till they deteriorate, or even set up chemical changes. Have you the bottles?”
“Yes. But what the—”