"That unfortunate gentleman is insane," I said to the manager of the hotel. "He must be watched, and on no account allowed to leave his bedroom without being followed."
"That is all very well, sir," replied the man, "but I must have very good evidence of the truth of your statements before I can allow any pressure to be put on the gentleman who occupies No. 39. This is a very queer story, and Mr. Mainwaring showed no signs of insanity before you came. But, insane or not, it isn't to be supposed that he wouldn't know his own wife."
"Take us into a private room and let me explain matters to you," I said.
The man did so.
"On your peril," I continued, "I must request you to set someone to watch that door. I am a medical man, and you cannot trifle with my requests with impunity. That gentleman is in a dangerous state, and he must be closely watched."
"Very well, sir," replied the manager, in a more civil tone, "I'll tell the night porter to keep an eye on the door."
He left us for a moment, but quickly returned.
"Now, sir," he said. "I hope you'll have the goodness to explain matters a little, for, to say the least, it's a queer story."
"IT'S A QUEER STORY."