Piccadilly Jim

assably good-looking. At themoment an unbecoming pallor marred his face, and beneath his eyeswere marks

friend. Is there any one in the morning-room?""No, Mr. James.""Speak softly, Bayliss, for I am not well. I am conscious of astrange weakness. Lead me to the morning-room, then, and lay megently on a s

that I am about to expire.""Shall I bring you a litt

I haven't and I never shall. You may bring mea brandy-and-soda. Not a large one. A couple of bath-tubs fullwill be enough.""Very good, Mr. James.""And now leave me, Bayliss, for I would be alone. I have to makea series of difficult and exhaustive tests to ascertain whether Iam still alive."When the butler had gone, Jimmy adjusted the cushi

indulged in a fight overnight or he has not indulged in afight overnight. There can be no middle course. That he should beuncertain on the point was ridiculous. Yet, try as he would, hecould not be sure. There were moments when he seemed on the veryverge of settlin

beside you, sir?"J

n word, that, Bayliss,

is the case, how is it that I can'tremember whether I murdered somebody or not last night? It isn'tthe sort of thing your sober man would lightly forget. Have youever murdered anybody, Bayliss?""No, sir.""Well, if you had, you would remember it next morning?""I imagine so, Mr. James.""Well, it's a funny thing, but I can't

es intended the statementshe made to be taken literally or not, but on the present occasionhe seemed to have spoken seriously and to be genuinely at a lossto recall

n it, Mr. James?" he

x Hundred Club?"Jimmy sat up with a jerk, staring at this omniscient man. Thenthe movement hav

utit when I can't remember a thing? It was my fault, not yours."

?""Half a column, Mr. James. Wou

with it. This wantslooking into."Bayliss retired, to return immedia

d practice for you. I am convinced I am going to bea confirmed invalid for the rest of my life, and it will be partof your job to sit at my bedside and read to me. By the way, doesthe paper say who the party of th