ve troubles from the first."

"Yes, yes."

"And how he was disappointed about having Miss Jerrold."

"Well?"

"And then, sir, when at last it was to come off, you see it was too much
for him."

"And he has turned a little ill. There, he will soon be better."

"I hope so, sir," said Mrs Brade, shaking her head, "but I'm afraid."

"Look here, you have seen or heard something to account, perhaps, for
his sudden illness."

"Don't call it illness, sir; the poor dear gentleman is mad."

"Mrs Brade!"

"It's a fact, sir, I assure you, and we may as well out with the truth."

"Look here," said Guest, speaking hoarsely, for he felt startled at the
woman's words, coinciding so exactly with horrible thoughts hidden in
his own breast. "This is a very serious thing to say. What grounds
have you for such an assertion?"

"Well, sir, if you'll sit down I'll tell you."

Guest reseated himself, feeling that if he wished to hear, he must let
the woman go on in her own way.

"I've always liked Mr Stratton, sir, since he's been here, and his name
always putting me in mind of Lady Burdett Coutts' house at the corner of
Strutton Street, where I have visited one of the servants."

Guest made an impatient gesture.

"Yes, sir, I am coming to it as fast as I can. You see doing for him so
long and looking upon him like a son, and doing for Mr Brettison, too,
as is always most aggravating about his dusting, and his room's a
disgrace, but I never thought of Mr Stratton turning like that."

"Like what?"

"I'm telling you, sir. Getting so that it's a favour to be allowed to
go into his room to tidy up, and him watching you and following you
about with his eyes, and glaring at you all the time."

"Of course, he does not like his specimens touched."

"All which I know, sir, and I've studied him; but he never went on as he
does now."

"Oh, nonsense! he's ill and doesn't want to be worried."

"He's mad, sir, as Bedlam."

"Mrs Brade!"

"He is, sir, and last night he tried to strangle me."

"What?"

"He did, sir, as I'm a sinful soul, and when I got away from him down
the stairs and back here into my room, it's a mercy as I didn't faint
away."

"He touched you?"

"Touched me, sir? He seized me. Oh, poor, dear gentleman, he's gone."

"Look here," said Guest sharply, "have you told anybody about it?"

"No, sir; not yet."

"Then for Heaven's sake don't, Mrs Brade," said Guest, in a low,
hurried tone. "It was, pe