The old lawyer, almost shuddering, stepped back with repelling gesture. He passed his hand quickly across his eyes, and then, as if his heart had beat recall, summoning back every retreating force in quick rally, compelled but not unwilling, he turned in combative instinct to meet the stranger face to face, nature to nature, turned—and found himself alone.
Once more the clerk opened the door.
“Eleven o’clock, sir,” he said, “and you know the General Term this morning——”
“You saw the gentleman who just went out?” asked the lawyer.
“I, sir,” answered the man; “I saw no one go out.”
“No one?”
“No one.”
“You certainly brought me a card and showed a young gentleman in a few minutes ago?”
“I, sir!” repeated the clerk. “I brought in a card and showed a young gentleman in! Aren’t you well this morning, sir?”
“That will do,” said Maskelyne, sternly.