But have you come to any decision as to the nature of his illness ?" There was a tone of anxiety and suppressed eagerness in the question which, while it was natural enough in the circumstances, by no means allayed my suspicions, but rather influenced me on the side of caution.
"I cannot give a very definite opinion at present," I replied guardedly.
"The symptoms are rather obscure and might very well indicate several different conditions.

They might be due to congestion of the brain, and, if no other explanation were possible, I should incline to that view.
The alternative is some narcotic poison, such as opium or morphia." "But that is quite impossible.

There is no such drug in the house, and as he never leaves his room now, he could not get any from outside." "What about the servants ?" I asked.
"There are no servants excepting my housekeeper, and she is absolutely trustworthy." "He might have some store of the drug that you are not aware of.

Is he left alone much ?" "Very seldom indeed.

I spend as much time with him as I can, and when I am not able to be in the room, Mrs Schallibaum, my housekeeper, sits with him." "Is he often as drowsy as he is now ?" "Oh, very often; in fact, I should say that is his usual condition.