"Really, Doctor, you are getting awfully inquisitive!" he
exclaimed with a hard laugh. "You want to know altogether too
much!"

"Yes, I always do; it is a habit of mine," responded Dr. Dean,
calmly. "But in the present case, it doesn't need much perspicuity
to fathom your mystery. The dullest clod-hopper will tell you he
can see through a millstone when there's a hole in it. And I was
always a good hand at putting two and two together and making four
out of them. You and Gervase are in love with the same woman; the
woman has rejected you and is encouraging Gervase; Gervase, you
think, will on this very night be in the position of the accepted
lover, for which successful fortune, attending him, you, the
rejected one, propose to kill him to-morrow morning if you can,
unless he kills you. And you are going to Cairo to get your
pistols or whatever weapons you have arranged to fight with, and
also to say good-bye to your sister."

Denzil kept his eyes fixed studiously on the table-cloth and made
no answer.

"However," continued the Doctor complacently, "you can have it all
your own way as far as I am concerned. I never interfere in these
sort of matters. I should do no good if I attempted it. Besides, I
haven't the slightest anxiety on your behalf--not the slightest.
Waiter, some more coffee, please?"

"Upon my word!" exclaimed Denzil, with a fretful laugh, "you are a
most extraordinary man, Doctor!"