ks it
what he calls a traitor in the camp. I saw no sign; we were all merry
and friendly.'

'Jarniman?' said Victor sharply. 'Who is the Jarniman?'

'Mr. Jarniman is, I am to understand from the acquaintance introducing
us--a Mr. Shaplow I met in the train from Lakelands one day, and again
at the corner of a street near Drury Lane, a ham and beef shop kept by
a Mrs. Jarniman, a very stout lady, who does the chief carving in the
shop, and is the mother of Mr. Jarniman: he is in a confidential place,
highly trusted.' Skepsey looked up from the hands he soaped: 'He is
a curious mixture; he has true enthusiasm for boxing, he believes in
ghosts. He mourns for the lost days of prize-fighting, he thinks that
spectres are on the increase. He has a very large appetite, depressed
spirits. Mr. Shaplow informs me he is a man of substance, in the service
of a wealthy lady in poor health, expecting a legacy and her appearance
to him. He has the look--Mr. Shaplow assures me he does not drink to
excess: he is a slow drinker.'

Victor straightened: 'Bad way of health, you said?'

'Mr. Jarniman spoke of his expectations, as being immediate: he put it,
that he expected her spirit to be out for him to meet it any day--or
night. He desires it. He says, she has promised it--on oath, he says,
and must feel that she must do her duty to him before she goes, if she
is to appear to him with any countenance after. But he is anxious for
her in any case to show herself, and says, he should not have the heart
to reproach her. He has principles, a tear for suffering; he likes to be
made to cry. Mrs. Jarniman, his mother, he is not married, is much the
same so far, except ghosts; she will not have them; except after strong
tea, they come, she says, come to her bed. She is foolish enough to
sleep in a close-curtained bed. But the poor lady is so exceedingly
stout that a puff of cold would carry her off, she fears.'

Victor stamped his foot. 'This man Jarniman serves a lady now in
a--serious, does he say? Was he precise?'

'Mr. Jarniman spoke of a remarkable number of diseases; very
complicated, he says. He has no opinion of doctors. He says, that the
lady's doctor and the chemist--she sits in a chemist's shop and
swallows other people's prescriptions that take her fancy. He says, her
continuing to live is wonderful. He has no reason to hurry her, only for
the satisfaction of a natural curiosity.'

'He mentioned her name?'

'No name, sir.'

S