"
"He says it rests with you."
"You must have misunderstood him."
"Not at all, sir. One thing is clear; my letters have been stolen either
by him or you; and I will know which."
The doctor parried with a formula.
"You are _excited,_ Mr. Hardie. Be calm, sir, be calm: or you will be
here all the longer."
All Alfred obtained by this interview was a powerful opiate. The
head-keeper brought it him in bed. He declined to take it. The man
whistled, and the room filled with keepers.
"Now," said Cooper, "down with it, or you'll have to be drenched with
this cowhorn."
"You had better take it, sir," said Brown; "the doctor has ordered it
you."
"The doctor? Well, let me see the doctor about it."
"He is gone."
"He never ordered it me," said Alfred. Then fixing his eyes sternly on
Cooper, "You miscreants, you want to poison me. No, I will not take it.
Murder! murder!"
Then ensued a struggle, on which I draw a veil: but numbers won the day,
with the help of handcuffs and a cowhorn.
Brown went and told Mrs. Archbold, and what Alfred had said.
"Don't be alarmed," said that strong-minded lady: "it is only one of the
old fool's composing draughts.
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