"And it all came on after that?"
"Yes, the serious symptoms. Of course he wasn't in very good health to start with."
"No?"
"He'd been having dyspepsia. Caught a chill one evening bathing in the Nile—somewhere off Kous, I believe it was. That rendered him more susceptible than usual."
"Naturally. So that he was already unwell before he did that foolish thing at Thebes?"
"He was seedy, but not really ill."
"What a long talk you're having!" said a voice.
Both men started, and into Doctor Baring Hartley's face there came a look of painful self-consciousness, as of one unexpectedly detected in an unpardonable action. He sprang up.
Mrs. Armine was standing near the top of the companion.