d out his one spoonful and a half of
tea at one shilling eightpence into the brown earthenware teapot.
Suddenly, however, the laugh faded from his face, and he cocked his ear
towards the door, standing listening with a slanting head and a
sidelong eye. There had been a rasping of wheels against the curb, the
sound of steps outside, and then a loud peal at the bell. With his
teaspoon in his hand he peeped round the corner and saw with amazement
that a carriage and pair were waiting outside, and that a powdered
footman was standing at the door. The spoon tinkled down upon the
floor, and he stood gazing in bewilderment. Then, pulling himself
together, he threw open the door.

"Young man," said the flunky, "tell your master, Dr. Wilkinson, that he
is wanted just as quick as ever he can come to Lady Millbank, at the
Towers. He is to come this very instant. We'd take him with us, but
we have to go back to see if Dr. Mason is home yet. Just you stir your
stumps and give him the message."

The footman nodded and was off in an instant, while the coachman lashed
his horses and the carriage flew down the street.

Here was a new development. Dr. Horace Wilkinson stood at his door and
tried to think it all out. Lady Millbank, of the Towers! People of
wealth and position, no doubt. And a serious case, or why this haste
and summoning of two doctors? But, then, why in the name of all that
is wonderful should he be sent for?

He was obscure, unknown, without influence. There must be some
mistake. Yes, that must be the true explanation; or was it possible
that some one was attempting a cruel hoax upon him? At any rate, it
was too positive a message to be disregarded. He must set off at once
and settle the matter one way or the other.

But he had one source of information. At the corner of the street was
a small shop where one of the oldest inhabitants dispensed newspapers
and gossip. He could get information there if anywhere. He put on his
well-brushed top hat, secreted instruments and bandages in all his
pockets, and without waiting for his tea closed up his establishment
and started off upon his adventure.

The stationer at the corner was a human directory to every one and
everything in Sutton, so that he soon had all the information which he
wanted. Sir John Millbank was very well known in the town, it seemed.
He was a merchant prince, an exporter of pens, three times mayor, and
reported to be fully worth t