Seeing him asleep, he twisted a piece of paper into what boys call a 'jigger,' and lighting it at both ends, placed it on the old man's nose.
He was accompanied by a young man who was his toady; his name was Simpkins, and in consideration of many favors bestowed upon him by Lord Maltravers, Simpkins was his most devoted servant.
"Ha! ha!" laughed Simpkins, "what an excellent joke; that will wake the old boy up."
"He's no right to sleep in a club, by Jove," remarked his lordship.
"Certainly not; it is not the proper place."
Presently the flame began to burn the skin of the professor's nasal organ, and he awoke with a cry of affright.
His hands instinctively sought his nose and he pulled off the 'jigger.'
"Confound it," he exclaimed, "my face is burnt. Who has done this?"
The two young men began to laugh loudly and were evidently enjoying their practical joke.
"I did it," said Lord Maltravers. "Is there anything else you want to know?"