The Dickinson press., 1894-09-29
CHAPTER TX,
lie journal Anlusnnt."

INc JOuFnUl AU1U00 DHsv
We set out ut once to old JaQues.
1t vas growing dusk as we passed
down. the village street; we recogniz-
ed the burly figure Of S%teinhardt
emerge from the private entrance to
the chemical works; lie did not turn
round, but walked steadily on before
us till he took the lane leading to Tim.
perley Hall.
When we entered the cottage I OBJ
served that the position Of Jaques's
chair had been altered; 1t was much
nearer the fire than l had before seen
1t. for the month of September was
now yell advanced. The only light
In the oOm was that shed by q light
fire.
9TH old chap" whispered Birley to
me, used to begin to be at his best
ut this time O. night"
He drew up Il chair and sat down
Familiarity by the paralytic and began
to talk to him. But tie old man SEEM
ed to pay no attention or not to hear;
he never even turned his eyces, but
slowly and absently winked as the
flames fliclered. I stood in the shad-
ow beyond John; l asked him whether
he thought his master was as well as
he had seemed some weeks ago.
May" said he, II do not think he
is; he seems to fall off again like, wi
tn fall O TIL year."
What II he should speedily SO far
fall off from consciousness Of things
and persons around him rs to slide
into that comatose condition in which,
I understood, he had passed last win
fovso vVhnVo fhoo ,xyo,,11 ho 1,,v n1,oraa
of learning anything from him, either
by word or sign, concerning his
nepheweif, indeed, he had anything
TO communicate. The more I thought
Of Birley's suggestion the more likely
it seemed to me that Lacroix should
not have passed his uncle's door that
night presuming, always, he had come
hoIe); and If he had not passed by
the door but entered, he was certain
to have seen his uncle; for the old man
was always either huddled in the great
chair or stretched on the little bed in
the corner. But then came the battling
question. If he had seen his uncle
had he seen him awake? 1 had never
seen the old man asleep, but still 1t
was to be supposed he slept sometimes.
But whatever had happened could
only be discovered from the silent,
sphipx-like invalid; his humble retain
er, STOPPING between us, was too
heavy and regular a sleeper, I judged,
and when awake was too much occu.
pied with his shell-fish and his master
to have attention or memory to give
to anything else much. Thus dismiss
ing him in WY mind from the scope
Of our inquiry. I happened to step
round between him and old JaQues.
The old man raised his eyes upon me
where I stood in the light of the fire
US upon a sudden apparition. His eye.
brows and his mouth twitched, and
some gutteral sounds rose from his
throat.
"Eh" said Birley, interrupting the
meandering flow of his talk and look.
ing ut the old man.
HE seems" said I, ito recognize me
in some sort-and doesn't he seem to
wish to say something? Is there no
way we can hit upon Of commune
eating with him?-of making sure
whether he hears and understands
what is said?"
"Yea," said John, "he understands.
When I say, 'Dost want breakfast,
master? or 'Wouldst like a drink?'
he wakes up spry enough.
Not deeming this evidence sufficient
ly good, l still looked at Birley.
rs 1t any use writing something
DOWN. said he.
1--WE may at least try it's effect on
him." I answered.
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