a few minutes I was able to stand and walk stiffly into my bedroom where Howlett had a hot bath ready and a hotter tumbler of Scotch. Pierpont sponged the blood from my throat where it had coagulated. The cut was slight, almost invisible, a mere puncture from a thorn. A shampoo cleared my mind, and a cold plunge and alcohol friction did the rest.
‘Now,’ said Pierpont, ‘swallow your hot Scotch and lie down. Do you want a broiled woodcock? Good, I fancy you are coming about.’
Barris and Pierpont watched me as I sat on the edge of the bed, solemnly chewing on the woodcock’s wishbone and sipping my Bordeaux, very much at my ease.
Pierpont sighed his relief.
‘So,’ he said pleasantly, ‘it was a mere case of ten dollars or ten days. I thought you had been stabbed—’
‘I was not intoxicated,’ I replied, serenely picking up a bit of celery.
‘Only jagged?’ enquired Pierpont, full of sympathy.
‘Nonsense,’ said Barris, ‘let him alone. Want some more celery, Roy? – it will make you sleep.’
‘I don’t want to sleep,’ I answered; ‘when are you and Pierpont going to catch your gold-maker?’
Barris looked at his watch and closed it with a snap.
‘In an hour; you don’t propose to go with us?’
‘But I do – toss me a cup of coffee, Pierpont, will you – that’s just what I propose to do. Howlett, bring the new box of Panatella’s – the mild imported – and leave the decanter. Now Barris, I’ll be dressing, and you and Pierpont keep still and listen to what I have to say. Is that door shut tight?’
Barris locked it and sat down.
‘Thanks,’ said I, ‘Barris, where is the city of Yian?’
An expression akin to terror flashed into Barris’ eyes and I saw him stop breathing for a moment.
‘There is no such city,’ he said at length, ‘have I been talking in my sleep?’
‘It is a city,’ I continued, calmly, ‘where the river winds under the thousand bridges, where the gardens are sweetly scented and the air is filled with the music of silver bells—’
‘Stop!’ gasped Barris, and rose trembling from his chair. He had grown ten years older.
‘Roy,’ interposed Pierpont coolly, ‘what the deuce are you harrying Barris for?’
I looked at Barris and he looked at me. After a second or two he sat down again.
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