But this was no time for reticence.

My concern was with the patient and his present needs.

After all, I was, as Thorndyke had said, a doctor, not a detective, and the circumstances called for straightforward speech and action on my part.
"I have considered that question," I said, "and have come to a perfectly definite conclusion.

His symptoms are not those of sleeping sickness.
They are in my opinion undoubtedly due to morphine poisoning." "But my dear sir!" he exclaimed, "the thing is impossible! Haven't I just told you that he has been watched continuously ?" "I can only judge by the appearances that I find," I answered; and, seeing that he was about to offer fresh objections, I continued: "Don't let us waste precious time in discussion, or Mr.Graves may be dead before we have reached a conclusion.

If you will hurry them up about the coffee that I asked for some time ago, I will take the other necessary measures, and perhaps we may manage to pull him round." The rather brutal decision of my manner evidently daunted him.