Page:Yellow Claw 1920.djvu/278

 the eyes of M. Gaston. The pupils were extraordinary dilated.…

“Do you feel better?” asked Sir Brian.

“Much better,” muttered M. Gaston, his face twitching nervously—“much better.”

“Are you subject to these attacks?”

“Since—I was in China—yes, unfortunately.”

Sir Brian tugged at his fair mustache and seemed about to speak, then turned aside, and, walking to the table, poured out a peg of brandy and offered it to his guest.

“Thanks,” said M. Gaston; “many thanks indeed, but already I recover. There is only one thing that would hasten my recovery, and that, I fear, is not available.”

“What is that?”

He looked again at M. Gaston’s eyes with their very dilated pupils.

“Opium!” whispered M. Gaston.

“What! you…you”…

“I acquired the custom in China,” replied the Frenchman, his voice gradually growing stronger; “and for many years, now, I have regarded opium as essential to my well-being. Unfortunately business has detained me in London, and I have been forced to fast for an unusually long time. My outraged constitution is protesting—that is all.”

He shrugged his shoulders and glanced up at his host with an odd smile.

“You have my sympathy,” said Sir Brian.…