The Moonstone - Page 365/404

Still, so long as he stood where he was, there was hope. We waited, in

unutterable expectation, to see what would happen next.

The next event was decisive. He let the mock Diamond drop out of his

hand.

It fell on the floor, before the doorway--plainly visible to him, and

to everyone. He made no effort to pick it up: he looked down at

it vacantly, and, as he looked, his head sank on his breast. He

staggered--roused himself for an instant--walked back unsteadily to the

sofa--and sat down on it. He made a last effort; he tried to rise, and

sank back. His head fell on the sofa cushions. It was then twenty-five

minutes past one o'clock. Before I had put my watch back in my pocket,

he was asleep.

It was all over now. The sedative influence had got him; the experiment

was at an end.

I entered the room, telling Mr. Bruff and Betteredge that they might

follow me. There was no fear of disturbing him. We were free to move and

speak.

"The first thing to settle," I said, "is the question of what we are to

do with him. He will probably sleep for the next six or seven hours, at

least. It is some distance to carry him back to his own room. When I was

younger, I could have done it alone. But my health and strength are not

what they were--I am afraid I must ask you to help me."

Before they could answer, Miss Verinder called to me softly. She met me

at the door of her room, with a light shawl, and with the counterpane

from her own bed.

"Do you mean to watch him while he sleeps?" she asked.

"Yes, I am not sure enough of the action of the opium in his case to be

willing to leave him alone."

She handed me the shawl and the counterpane.

"Why should you disturb him?" she whispered. "Make his bed on the sofa.

I can shut my door, and keep in my room."

It was infinitely the simplest and the safest way of disposing of

him for the night. I mentioned the suggestion to Mr. Bruff and

Betteredge--who both approved of my adopting it. In five minutes I had

laid him comfortably on the sofa, and had covered him lightly with

the counterpane and the shawl. Miss Verinder wished us good night, and

closed the door. At my request, we three then drew round the table in

the middle of the room, on which the candle was still burning, and on

which writing materials were placed.