"It's only me, dear—Mrs. Parkes."
There was the sharp click of a key being turned. The door was opened cautiously. The landlady went in and the door slammed to again.
"And now, young man," said Mr. Cooley, who had watched the proceedings without comment. "If you will kindly withdraw we shall all regard your absence most favorably."
Thoroughly intimidated by the lawyer's domineering manner, Harry went sheepishly towards the door. As he reached the threshold he turned and said timidly:
"Of course you understand, sir, that there is no engagement of any sort—there never was."
With a gesture the lawyer waved him to be gone.
"That's all right," he said disdainfully.
As he disappeared the lawyer turned to see what the commission was doing. All the doctors were busy. Dr. McMutrie was deeply engrossed in the reading of a voluminous report. Professor Bodley, not quite sure what was expected of him, was glancing over some newspaper clippings and trying to look wise. Dr. Zacharie rose and held out a paper which he had selected from a number of others spread out on the table before him.
"This, gentlemen," he said pompously, "is the daily report—a very minute observation."
"Hum!" growled the inspector, looking up, "I don't see anything very serious so far."