moment; he has just finished his dinner, and not
yet begun the evening." Ringing the bell, as he spoke, he gave orders to
a supernumerary to send the Professor to him.

While they waited for his coming, Stocmar continued to give some
further account of his life and habits, the total estrangement from all
companionship in which he lived, his dislike to be addressed, and the
seeming misanthropy that animated him. At last the manager, getting
impatient, rang once more, to ask if he were about to appear.

"Well, sir," said the man, with a sort of unwillingness in his manner,
"he said as much as that he was n't coming; that he had just dined, and
meant to enjoy himself without business for a while."

"Go back and tell him that Mr. Stocmar has something very important to
tell him; that five minutes will be enough.--You see the stuff he's
made of?" said the manager, as the man left the room.

Another, and nearly as long a delay ensued, and at last the dragging
sound of heavy slipshod feet was heard approaching; the door was rudely
opened, and a tall old man, of haggard appearance and in the meanest
rags, entered, and, drawing himself proudly up, stared steadfastly at
Stocmar, without even for an instant noticing the presence of the other.

"I wanted a word,--just one word with you, Professor," began the
manager, in an easy, familiar tone.

"Men do not whistle even for a dog, when he 's at his meals," said the
old man, insolently. "They told you I was at my dinner, did n't they?"

"Sorry to disturb you, Tom; but as two minutes would suffice for all I
had to say--"

"Reason the more to keep it for another occasion," was the stubborn
reply.

"We are too late this time," whispered Stocmar across towards Paten;
"the fellow has been at the whiskey-bottle already."

With that marvellous acuteness of hearing that a brain in its initial
state of excitement is occasionally gifted with, the old man caught the
words, and, as suddenly rendered aware of the presence of a third
party, turned his eyes on Paten. At first the look was a mere stare, but
gradually the expression grew more fixed, and the bleared eyes dilated,
while his whole features became intensely eager. With a shuffling but
hurried step he then moved across the floor, and, coming close up to
where Paten stood, he laid his hands upon his shoulders, and wheeled him
rudely round, till the light of the window fell full upon him.

"Well, old gent," said Paten, laughing,