“I hope the little chap is all right again?” asked Hugh.
“I should just about think so, and more rampagious than ever. Father can’t let him out of his sight, you know, but I don’t think he altogether spoils him. Miss Lisle and Miss Osric do that. By the way, though it’s not announced yet, I think we may feel pretty sure the Vicar won’t let Miss Osric leave Lislehurst when Miss Lisle dispenses with a governess.”
“Is that so?” Hugh said, looking pleased. “I’m very glad. Sydney thinks no end of Miss Osric, I know, and the Vicar is a downright brick. And Pauly wants a mother.”
“Yes, he won’t get so many chances of tumbling off church towers or catching fevers then,” the doctor said. “It will be a fine thing for the little monkey in every way. And I agree with you about Miss Osric: she’s a very nice girl, a very nice girl indeed. But Master Pauly has to do the courting for his father now, for the Vicar and Lord St. Quentin have struck up quite a friendship; that’s a new departure, isn’t it? It’s very good for St. Quentin! Well, and what news have you brought me down from town, my dear boy? Anything fresh on the placards this morning?”
“Only a big jewel robbery,” Hugh said, laughing. “I really came to see Lord St. Quentin on a bit of business concerning him that I chanced to come across. And, while I was here, I thought I would give myself the pleasure of looking you up, and telling you of our last triumph at the Blue-friars. A really remarkable case: I’m sure you will be interested.”
Hugh was right in his conviction, but even he had not expected such a violent interest as his old friend displayed.
Dr. Lorry leaned forward, putting quick, sharp questions as to the exact nature of the injury which had been operated on so successfully, and finally, as Hugh concluded, seized the young man’s hand and nearly wrung it off his wrist.
“Thank God! thank God!” he cried. “It has saved one man; it can save another!”
“What do you mean?” Hugh cried. The old man’s intense excitement was infectious.