This question was addressed to Mr. Gimp, who had entered the room in his usual stealthy manner, and now handed his master two cards.
"Mr. Roger Axton and Mr. Octavius Fanks," read Spolger, slowly. "I can't see them, Gimp, I really can't. The action of the drops demands perfect quiet."
"The gentlemen have druv from town, sir."
"Well, they must just drive back again," said his master, crossly. "My compliments, Gimp, and I'm too ill to see them."
Gimp obediently retreated, but shortly afterwards returned with a curt message.
"Oh, dear, dear!" moaned Spolger, irritably, "those healthy people have no consideration for an invalid. Well, if I must, Gimp, I must. But I see them under protest. Let them understand distinctly--under protest."
Gimp once more disappeared, and on his reappearance ushered in Axton and Fanks, whom Mr. Spolger received with peevish politeness.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting, gentlemen," he said, waving his hand, "but my health, you know. I'm a mere wreck. I don't want to be jarred on. Pray be seated! Mr. Axton, you don't look well. Mr.--Mr.--"
"Fanks," said that gentleman, introducing himself, "Octavius Fanks, detective."
"Oh, indeed," replied Spolger, starting, "a detective, eh! I think I've seen your name in the papers lately."
"Yes," said Axton, bluntly, "in connection with the Jarlchester affair."
"Oh, indeed," repeated their host once more; "suicide, I believe, although Mr. Melstane did look consumptive. I incline to the latter. Now which idea do you favour, Mr. Fanks--suicide or consumption?"
Mr. Spolger jumped up in his chair as if he had been shot, and his face turned a chalky white.
"Pooh pooh!" he said at length, with an attempt at jocularity, "absurd, monstrous! The jury said suicide."
"I'm aware of that," responded Fanks, coolly, "but I don't agree with the jury. Sebastian Melstane was murdered."
Spolger said nothing, but wriggled uneasily in his chair under the somewhat embarrassing gaze of his visitors, and at length burst out into feeble protests against their candour.
"Why do you speak to me like this? I don't know anything about murders. They upset my nerves. I'm quite unstrung with all I've come through. What with Miss Marson's illness, and Melstane's death, and all kind of things, I'm quite uneasy in my mind."