e always easily accessible," simpered Jekyl, as he
stole a look at his watch.

"Ay, to be sure," broke in Grounsell, indignantly; "the very geography
of the Continent assists this profligacy, and five paces over an
imaginary boundary gives immunity in a case of murder! Well, sir, come
along with me to the place of meeting. It is just possible that we may
be of some service even yet."

"Nothing could be more agreeable to me than the opportunity of
cultivating your acquaintance, Dr. Grounsell; but I have already
sent off a few lines to Lord Norwood, to apologize for my absence,--a
previous engagement."

"What! at this hour of the morning, sir!" burst out Grounsell.

"Even at this early hour, doctor, our cares commence," said Jekyl,
blandly.

"Upon this occasion they must give way to duties, then," said Grounsell,
sternly. "The word may sound strangely in your ears, sir, but I use it
advisedly you have been well received and hospitably entertained by
this family. They have shown you many marks of kindness and attention.
Now is the opportunity to make some sort of requital. Come, then, and
see if this young man cannot be rescued from peril."

"You touch my feelings in the very tenderest spot," said Jekyl, softly.
"When gratitude is mentioned, I am a child,--a mere child."

"Be a man, then, for once, sir; put on your hat and accompany me," cried
Grounsell.

"Would you have me break an appointment, doctor?"

"Ay, to be sure I would, sir,--at least, such an appointment as I
suspect yours to be. This may be a case of life or death."

"How very dreadful!" said Jekyl, settling his curls at the glass.
"Pascal compares men to thin glass phials, with an explosive powder
within them, and really one sees the force of the similitude every day;
but Jean Paul improves upon it by saying that we are all burning-glasses
of various degrees of density, so that our passions ignite at different
grades of heat."

"Mine are not very far from the focal distance at this moment," said
Grounsell, with savage energy; "so fetch your hat, sir, at once, or--"

"Unless I prefer a cap, you were going to add," interposed Jekyl, with a
sweet smile.

"We must use speed, sir, or we shall be too late," rejoined the doctor.

"I flatter myself few men understand a rapid toilet better," said Jekyl,
rising from the table; "so if you'll amuse yourself with 'Bell's Life,'
'Punch,' or Jules Janin, for five minutes, I 'm your man."

"I can be company