"I beg your pardon, sir," said the servant, "but this gentleman is below, and wants to see Mr. Moss."
Aaron took the card without looking at it, and handed it to Mr. Moss, who exclaimed,--
"Dr. Spenlove! What can he want here?"
"Show the gentleman up," said Aaron to the servant, after a moment's consideration.
"Had I not better see him alone?" asked Mr. Moss.
"If you have no objection," replied Aaron, "I should prefer that you receive him here in my presence."
They both seemed to scent a coming danger, but Aaron appeared to hail it gladly, while Mr. Moss would rather have avoided it.
"A thousand apologies," said Dr. Spenlove to Aaron upon his entrance, "for intruding upon you; but hearing that Mr. Moss had come to your house I took the liberty of following him. My errand is an urgent one."
"I am happy to see you, Dr. Spenlove," Aaron responded; "if your business with Mr. Moss is not quite private you can speak freely before me."
"I think," said Dr. Spenlove, half hesitating, "that it is quite private."