The notes of the nasal orchestra were rising and falling upon his ear, and a new idea suggested itself.
"Yes, yes; the rascals must have been getting boozy.

Well, it's none of my business--I'll be off;" and off he went.
No sooner was he out of sight, than nearly all started to their feet, and a hearty laugh ensued.
Like myself, most of them had been watching the event from under a sly eyelid.

By this time, too, Doctor Long Ghost was as wide awake as anybody.

What were his reasons for taking laudanum,--if, indeed, he took any whatever,--is best known to himself; and, as it is neither mine nor the reader's business, we will say no more about it..