The waiter himself--a small, undersized person with black, startled eyes set at that moment in a fixed and unnatural stare--made one desperate effort to save himself and then fell backwards.

Every one turned around, attracted by the noise of the falling cups and the sharp, half-stifled groan which broke from the man's lips.

Captain Granet sprang to his feet.
"Good heavens! The fellow's in a fit!" he exclaimed.
The maitre d'hotel and several waiters came hurrying up towards the prostrate figure, by the side of which Major Thomson was already kneeling.

The manager, who appeared upon the scene as though by magic, and upon whose face was an expression of horror that his clients should have been so disturbed, quickly gave his orders.

The man was picked up and carried away.