The man of law smiled pleasantly, and said that he saw no reason why the difficulty should not be arranged in two minutes’ quiet talk. His air, as he sat down opposite Wilton, was soothing to the last degree, and his companion drew me up-stage. The mystery was deepening, but I followed meekly, and heard Wilton say, with an uneasy laugh:
“I’ve had insomnia over this affair, Mr. Folsom. Let’s settle it one way or the other, for heaven’s sake!”
“Ah! Has he suffered much from this lately?” said my man, with a preliminary cough.
“I really can’t say,” I replied.
“Then I suppose you have only lately taken charge here?”
“I came this evening. I am not exactly in charge of anything.”
“I see. Merely to observe the course of events in case—” He nodded.
“Exactly.” Observation, after all, is my trade.
He coughed again slightly, and came to business.
“Now,—I am asking solely for information’s sake,—do you find the delusions persistent?”