g
up with a tray (our bedrooms were on the attic floor above the
laboratory and workshop), and I accordingly followed him into my
friend's chamber.

"I shan't go out to-day," said Thorndyke, "though I shall come down
presently. It is very inconvenient, but one must accept the inevitable.
I have had a knock on the head, and, although I feel none the worse, I
must take the proper precautions--rest and a low diet--until I see that
no results are going to follow. You can attend to the scalp wound and
send round the necessary letters, can't you?"

I expressed my willingness to do all that was required and applauded my
friend's self-control and good sense; indeed, I could not help
contrasting the conduct of this busy, indefatigable man, cheerfully
resigning himself to most distasteful inaction, with the fussy behaviour
of the ordinary patient who, with nothing of importance to do, can
hardly be prevailed upon to rest, no matter how urgent the necessity.
Accordingly, I breakfasted alone, and spent the morning in writing and
despatching letters to the various persons who were expecting visits
from my colleague.

Shortly after lunch (a very spare one, by the way, for Polton appeared
to include me in the scheme of reduced diet) my expectant ear caught
the tinkle of a hansom approaching down Crown Office Row.

"Here comes your fair companion," said Thorndyke, whom I had acquainted
with my arrangements, "Tell Hornby, from me, to keep up his courage,
and, for yourself, bear my warning in mind. I should be sorry indeed if
you ever had cause to regret that you had rendered me the very valuable
services for which I am now indebted to you. Good-bye; don't keep her
waiting."

I ran down the stairs and came out of the entry just as the cabman had
pulled up and flung open the doors.

"Holloway Prison--main entrance," I said, as I stepped up on to the
footboard.

"There ain't no back door there, sir," the man responded, with a grin;
and I was glad that neither the answer nor the grin was conveyed to my
fellow-passenger.

"You are very punctual, Miss Gibson," I said. "It is not half-past one
yet."

"Yes; I thought I should like to get there by two, so as to have as long
a time with him as is possible without shortening your interview."

I looked at my companion critically. She was dressed with rather more
than her usual care, and looked, in fact, a very fine lady indeed. This
circumstance, which I noted at first with surprise a