“But, sir, the doctor said—”
“Simms! are you my servant, or the doctor’s?” demanded Alexander, sternly.
“Yours, sir, of course.”
“Then obey me at once, or I shall send you about your business.”
Simms knew that he had a profitable place, and a good master, though a self-willed one. He had really no desire to oppose him in this or any other measure. He was heartily tired of this “beastly hole,” as he chose to call one of the prettiest little maritime towns in the world. So, after having done his duty and relieved his conscience, by offering a respectful remonstrance to the proposed exertions on the part of the invalid, he yielded to circumstances and set himself promptly to work to obey his master’s orders.
Alexander wrote a note of thanks and of partial explanation to Doctor Dietz, enclosed within it a munificent fee, and sent it down to the office to be handed to the surgeon on his return.
Alexander was a free man and a sane one. And though the people of the hotel were greatly astonished at his sudden resolution to travel in his present invalid condition, and strongly suspected him of running away from his physician; and though they had every will to stop him, they had not the power to do so.
And at two o’clock, all his arrangements having been completed, Alick, attended by his servant, entered the cab that was to take him to St. Helier’s.
He reached there in time to catch the steamer; and at three o’clock he sailed for Portsmouth.