"You won't go for a minute or two, Mr Leaf," he said, when, soon after eleven o'clock, Miller drained his glass and with Lucie rose to leave. "You'll get home to Shepherd's Bush quickly from here." And thus persuaded, I remained and joined him in a final glass of whisky and soda. We were alone in the pretty little smoking-room, lounging in the long low cane chairs. My host was lazily blowing rings of smoke towards the ceiling and remarking what a very excellent fellow Miller was, when I raised my whisky to my lips and took a gulp. It tasted curious, yet I did not like to spit it out or to make any remark. My host, I noticed, had his eyes fixed strangely upon me, as though watching my countenance. In an instant I grew alarmed. His face had changed. Its good-humour had given place to an expression of hatred and triumph. At the same moment I felt a strange sensation of nausea creeping over me, a chill feeling ran down my spine, while my throat contracted, and my limbs became suddenly paralysed. "You scoundrel!" I cried, staggering to my feet and facing him. "I know now! You've poisoned me--you devil!" "Yes," he laughed, with perfect sangfroid. "You are one of Jimmy Miller's crowd, and one by one I shall exterminate the lot of you! I owe this to you!" I swayed forward as I drew my revolver to defend myself, but next instant he had wrenched it from my nerveless grasp. I saw his grinning exultant face in mine. There was the fire of murder in his eyes. Then I sank to the floor and knew no more. He had mistaken me for one of Miller's accomplices, and I was helpless in his revengeful hands. CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. TWO MYSTERIES. My first recollections were of endeavouring to see through a blood-red cloud that hid everything from my distorted vision. The pains in my head and through my spine were excruciating, while my throat burned as though it had been skinned by molten lead poured down it. I tried to speak, but my tongue refused to move. I could articulate no sound. I felt the presence of persons about me, people who moved and spoke softly as though in fear of awaking me. My eyes were, I believe, wide-open, and yet I could not see. Some liquid was forced between my teeth by an unseen hand, and I drank it eagerly, for it was deliciously cold and refreshing. Then I fell asleep again, and I believe I must have remained unconscious for a long time. When at last I opened my eyes, I found myself in a narrow, hospital bed. A row of men in other beds were before me, and a nurse in uniform was approaching from the opposite side of the ward. I turned my head, and saw that a rather plain-faced nurse was seated beside me, holding my hand, her finger, I believe, upon my pulse, while on the opposite side sat a bald-headed man in uniform--a police constable. "Where am I?" I managed to ask the nurse. "In St George's Hospital, and you may congratulate yourself that you've had a very narrow escape. Whatever made you do such a thing?"