Stratton wiped the cold sweat from his brow as soon as he was alone, and once more began to pace the room, with the key in his hand. But he did not use it. Thrusting it back in his pocket, he sat down and hurriedly wrote a letter, in which he inclosed a cheque; then looking out an address from a directory, he fastened down the envelope, and opened the window, at which he waited till he saw a familiar face, and asked its owner to slip the letter in the first pillar box.
This act seemed to revive him, and he grew a little calmer. He turned to a cabinet containing natural history specimens preserved in spirits, and taking out first one and then another, he carefully examined them, removing the tied-down stoppers of several of the large-mouthed vessels; and he was still examining one of these, with the spirit therein looking limpid still, when there was a double knock.
His first idea, as he started up, was to hurriedly replace the glass vessel, but a moment’s thought decided him upon leaving it on the table and opening the door.
“Back again, you see,” said Guest, looking at him inquiringly. “Ah, busy with your specimens. That’s right. Nothing like keeping the mind busy; but clear away; the fellow will be here soon with the dinner, and I’ve brought some cigars. Mrs Brade been?”
“Yes; but you are not going to stay here this evening?”
“Indeed, but I am.”
Stratton frowned, but said nothing, and in due time the dinner came, was eaten, and the evening became a repetition of the last, but with the difference that Stratton seemed far more calm and able to keep himself under control.
But as the night wore on he stubbornly refused to go to bed. If his friend intended to stay there in a chair, he would do the same.
“Compulsion will only make him wild and irritate his wound,” thought Guest, and twelve o’clock struck as they settled themselves in their chairs as before.
“Better humour him,” said Guest to himself, as he felt more content with the change growing in his friend; “he’ll be better to-morrow, and then, perhaps, tell me all about his trouble.”