“It must be about cousin Randolph,” Bob said, glancing at his sister. “I’ll go to the Doctor’s study, Mrs. Williams, if you’ll show me the way.”
“Very good, sir. I’ll be back directly,” she added, “to see that the ladies have everything quite comfortable for the night.”
Trevelyan followed the housekeeper through many passages and down a good many stairs, till she brought him to the door of Dr. Steele’s study and knocked, and then opened the door for him to go in.
The Doctor was standing before the fire; when he saw Bob he came forward and moved a comfortable chair into position while he spoke.
“I’m sorry to trouble you,” he said, “but I am so placed that I think it is my duty to ask your advice in a very important matter.”
Trevelyan smiled pleasantly, and sat down.
“If it’s my advice you want, I warn you that I’m not thought clever,” he said. “Unless it’s about balloons.”
Dr. Steele’s face was very grave, and he paid no attention to what Bob said.
“I understood at dinner that you were a distant cousin of Sir Randolph Trevelyan’s,” he said. “I am sorry to say that he is just dead.”
“Dead! How awfully sudden!”