"You make me feel like a microbe," he said.

"However, if you would care to take a peep at me through your microscope, I will crawl on to the stage for your inspection, though it is not _my_ actions that furnish the materials for your psychological studies.

I am only a passive agent.

It is my poor brother who is the _Deus ex machina_, who, from his unknown grave, as I fear, pulls the strings of this infernal puppet-show." He paused, and for a space gazed thoughtfully into the grate as if he had forgotten my presence.

At length he looked up, and resumed: "It is a curious story, Doctor--a very curious story.