They went out, and walked for some distance in silence. Hugh ventured to say at length:
“You said you had spent the day strangely: may I ask how?”
“In a condemned cell in Newgate,” answered Falconer. “I am not in the habit of going to such places, but the man wanted to see me, and I went.”
As Falconer said no more, and as Hugh was afraid of showing anything like vulgar curiosity, this thread of conversation broke. Nothing worth recording passed until they entered a narrow court in Somers Town.
“Are you afraid of infection?” Falconer said.
“Not in the least, if there be any reason for exposing myself to it.”
“That is right.—And I need not ask if you are in good health.”
“I am in perfect health.”
“Then I need not mind asking you to wait for me till I come out of this house. There is typhus in it.”
“I will wait with pleasure. I will go with you if I can be of any use.”