It was about a month after this (and in this time I hadn't seen Legrand) when Jupiter, his servant, came to see me in Charleston. The good old black man was looking more unhappy than I had ever seen him, and my first fear was that something serious had taken place.
"Well, Jupiter, " I said, "what is it now ? How's Mister Will ?"
"Why, it's a fact he's not so well as he might be."
"Not well ? That's bad. What does he say is wrong with him ?"
"There ! That's the trouble ! He doesn't say anything's wrong -- but still he's very bad."
"Very ill, Jupiter ? Why didn't you say so at first ? Is he in bed ?"
"No, that he's not ! -- he isn't anywhere -- that's the trouble. I've got very unhappy about poor Mister Will."
"Jupiter, what is it you're talking about ? You say Mister Will is ill. Hasn't he said what's wrong with him ?"
"Why, sir, don't get angry about it ! Mister Will, he says nothing's wrong with him, with his head hanging down and his back bent, and his face all white ? And the he keeps on numbering all the time. . . ."
"Keeps on what, Jupiter ?"
Keeps on writing numbers on a board -- the strangest numbers I've ever seen. I'm getting very unhappy about it, I say. I've got to keep an eye on all his doings. The day he got away before sun-up, and he was gone all day. I got a stick cut ready to give him a good whipping when he did come -- but I'm so soft, I hadn't the heart to, after all -- he seemed so ill."
"Eh ?--what ? -- ah, yes. but don't be rough with the poor man. No blows, Jupiter -- he's not strong enough for that. But haven't you any idea what is the cause of his trouble, or this change of hehaviour? Did anything take place after I went ?"
"No, sir, nothing after then. The trouble was before then, it seems to me. It was the same day that you were there.
"How ? What's the idea ?"
"Why, sir, it's that inset -- there now !"
"That what ?"
"That insect. I'm quite certain Mister Will got a bite somewhere on the head from that gold-insect."
"And what cause have you to say that ?"
"Cause of this, sir. I've seen nothing like that insect. Kicking and biting at everything which came near him. Mister Will got him first, but he had to let him go quick. That was when he got the bite, seems to me. I wasn't happy about his mouth myself, so I wouldn't put my fingers near him. I got him in a bit of paper I saw. I got him into the paper and put a bit in his mouth-- that was the way."