“Go ahead,” said Roberts, who by this time had begun to feel the laughter contagious. “Hurry up, for heaven’s sake!”
The Frenchman paused for a few seconds, evidently collecting his scanty knowledge of English; then he turned toward the master of the house.
“Sir,” he said, making a profound bow, “I introduce—I introduce you the Dr. Anselme.”
The little Frenchman in turn made a profound bow; at the same time a sudden idea flashed across Roberts.
The two men, who were watching him closely, glanced at each other and again began laughing uproariously. Then again Jacques began his laborious explanation, pausing very long between words.
“This house,” he said, “this house—it is—it is une—une—what is de word? Une hôpital——”
Again the man stopped and gazed into the air. In the meantime, however, Roberts’s brain had been working, and a possible explanation of his extraordinary adventures with Dr. Anselme had flashed over him.
“A hospital!” he cried, “an asylum!”
“Oui, oui, monsieur!” cried the man excitedly.
“There was one man coming,” he continued excitedly, “one——”