"You have no patience," said Bob. "The train is laid. What more do you want?"
"Movement, Bob, movement." I looked at my watch. "Mustn't lose the train. I'm off."
And off I was, and in a few minutes whirling toward London. It was destined, however, that I should not reach there as early as I expected. We were midway when the train slackened, crawled along a few hundred yards, then came to a standstill.
"What's the matter?" I called to the guard, thrusting my head out of the window.
"Engine broke down, sir," was the answer. "Can't get on."
"Confound it!" I cried. "How long shall we have to wait?"
"There's no knowing, sir. Not till to-morrow morning, perhaps."
"But it is impossible for me to remain here all night."
"Very sorry, sir. It doesn't depend upon me. Accidents will happen."
Fretting and fuming would not mend matters, and I was compelled to submit. It turned out as the guard had indicated. Something else had occurred on the line which rendered it out of the question that another engine could be sent to our aid, and we did not arrive in London till the afternoon of the following day. I hastened at once to my chambers, then visited the office of the Evening Moon, and then proceeded to my mother's house, which I did not reach till six o'clock in the evening. The moment the street door was opened Emilia ran into the passage to greet me.