Rolph squeezed his eyes together very closely, and bit his lips, wishing mentally that a fit would seize the major, while he upbraided Fortune for playing him such a prank as this; and then he lay tolerably still, waiting for nearly half an hour, during which notes were compared by the others, one and all of whom declared that they never felt better. Glynne came twice to ask if she could be of any service, and to say that Lucy was eager to help; and then there were steps in the hall, and, directly after, Oldroyd was shown in, looking perfectly cool and business-like, in spite of his hurried scamper across the park. "Your man says that Captain Rolph has been poisoned by eating bad mushrooms," said the young doctor. "Is this so?" "He has had some of the same dish as all the rest," said Sir John; "and my brother declares they were perfectly safe." "Humph!" ejaculated Oldroyd, who had seated himself by his patient, and was questioning and examining him. "Better get him to bed," he said, after a pause; "and, while he is undressing, I will run home and get him something." He started directly, and was back just as Rolph sank upon his pillow. "There, sir, drink that," said Oldroyd, in a quiet decisive tone; and, after displaying a disposition to refuse, the young officer drank what was offered to him, and soon after sank into a heavy sleep. "I'll come back about twelve, Sir John," said the doctor. "I don't think he will be any worse. In fact, I believe he'll be all right in the morning." "But what is it?" said Sir John, in a whisper. "If it is the mushrooms, why are we not all ill?" "Well, as far as I can make out," said Oldroyd, "there is nothing the matter with him but a nervous fit, and an indication of too much stimulant. It seems to me that he has frightened himself into the belief that he has been poisoned. But I'll come in again about twelve." "No, no; pray stay, Mr Oldroyd," cried Sir John. "Come down into the drawing-room, and have a cup of tea and a chat. You don't think we need telegraph for further advice?" "Really, Sir John, I fail to see why you should," said Oldroyd. "Your friend is certainly, as far as my knowledge goes, not seriously ill." "Then come and sit down till you want to see him again," said Sir John. "I'm very glad to know you, Mr Oldroyd. You do know my brother? Yes, and Mr Alleyne? That's well. Now come and see Miss Day and her friend.--Oh, my dears," cried the baronet, in his hearty tones, "here is Mr Oldroyd come to cheer you with the best of news. Mr Oldroyd, my daughter--Well, Morris, what is it?" "If you please. Sir John, cook says, Sir John, she's very sorry that there should be any unpleasant feeling about the mushrooms; but she had an accident with the ones Major Day sent to be cooked, and those you had for dinner were Jones's own growing in the pits." "I could have sworn they had the regular mushroom flavour," cried the major.