"No one except the landlady and her maid."

"I'll go to him at once," said Martini.

"Thank you. I'll look round again in the evening. You'll find a paper
of written directions in the table-drawer by the large window, and the
opium is on the shelf in the next room. If the pain comes on again, give
him another dose--not more than one; but don't leave the bottle where he
can get at it, whatever you do; he might be tempted to take too much."

When Martini entered the darkened room, the Gadfly turned his head
round quickly, and, holding out to him a burning hand, began, in a bad
imitation of his usual flippant manner:

"Ah, Martini! You have come to rout me out about those proofs. It's no
use swearing at me for missing the committee last night; the fact is, I
have not been quite well, and----"

"Never mind the committee. I have just seen Riccardo, and have come to
know if I can be of any use."

The Gadfly set his face like a flint.

"Oh, really! that is very kind of you; but it wasn't worth the trouble.
I'm only a little out of sorts."

"So I understood from Riccardo. He was up with you all night, I
believe."

The Gadfly bit his lip savagely.

"I am quite comfortable, thank you, and don't want anything."

"Very well; then I will sit in the other room; perhaps you would rather
be alone. I will leave the door ajar, in case you call me."

"Please don't trouble about it; I really shan't want anything. I should
be wasting your time for nothing."

"Nonsense, man!" Martini broke in roughly. "What's the use of trying
to fool me that way? Do you think I have no eyes? Lie still and go to
sleep, if you can."

He went into the adjoining room, and, leaving the door open, sat down
with a book. Presently he heard the Gadfly move restlessly two or three
times. He put down his book and listened. There was a short silence,
then another restless movement; then the quick, heavy, panting breath
of a man clenching his teeth to suppress a groan. He went back into the
room.

"Can I do anything for you, Rivarez?"

There was no answer, and he crossed the room to the bed-side. The
Gadfly, with a ghastly, livid face, looked at him for a moment, and
silently shook his head.

"Shall I give you some more opium? Riccardo said you were to have it if
the pain got very bad."

"No, thank you; I can bear it a bit longer. It may be worse later on."

Martini shrugged his shoulders and sat down beside the bed. For an
interminable hour he