صفحة 436 من 657

One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by

the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come

from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I

dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases

were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my

old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door

tightly behind him.

"I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his

shoulder; "he's all right."

"What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was

some strange creature which he had caged up in my room.

"It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him

round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe

and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the

same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even

giving me time to thank him.