The dark circles round his eyes were more pronounced than ever, and he leaned heavily on his cane.

He was perfectly dressed as usual, and seemed disposed to be friendly.
"I am glad to see you, Lord Caranby," said the detective, when the old gentleman was accommodated with the chair, "have you had breakfast ?" "Thank you, yes.

But I could not eat any," said Caranby, breathing heavily.

"Those stairs of, yours are trying, Mr.Jennings.

I am not so young or so strong as I was." "You don't look the picture of health, my lord." "Can you expect a dying man to ?" "Dying--oh, no, you--" "Dying," insisted Caranby, rapping his stick on the ground.