I contented myself with a nod of the head.
"He has looked after it well ?" continued Armand.

Two big tears rolled down the cheeks of the sick man, and he turned away his head to hide them from me.

I pretended not to see them, and tried to change the conversation.

"You have been away three weeks," I said.
Armand passed his hand across his eyes and replied, "Exactly three weeks." "You had a long journey." "Oh, I was not travelling all the time.

I was ill for a fortnight or I should have returned long ago; but I had scarcely got there when I took this fever, and I was obliged to keep my room." "And you started to come back before you were really well ?" "If I had remained in the place for another week, I should have died there." "Well, now you are back again, you must take care of yourself; your friends will come and look after you; myself, first of all, if you will allow me." "I shall get up in a couple of hours." "It would be very unwise." "I must." "What have you to do in such a great hurry ?" "I must go to the inspector of police." "Why do you not get one of your friends to see after the matter?
It is likely to make you worse than you are now." "It is my only chance of getting better.