“I hope, gentlemen, you will find it is all a mistake, for your friend’s sake. Good-evening.”
As soon as they were outside the sergeant turned to them.
“As you want to make no fuss, gentlemen, and would like the matter kept quiet, suppose you both go on? I’ll join you in ten minutes with my man. People may notice it, if we all go together.”
Guest nodded, and they separated. Then a cab was called, and Stratton’s chambers once more reached.
Here the latter grew strangely excited, and began to protest against the proceedings.
“Look here,” said Guest warmly, “if I had had any doubt about its being right, I should go on now.”
“Why?” cried Stratton wonderingly.
“Because the excitement of another’s trouble or suffering is rousing you up, old fellow, and making you seem something like what you were of old.”
Stratton caught him by the arm, and was about to insist upon the plan being given up, when there was a sharp rap at the door, and Guest caught up candle and matches and led the way out on to the landing, followed by Stratton, who looked as if he were in a dream.
The sergeant was outside with a man of the regular carpenter class, with a bag swung over his shoulder by a hammer passed through the handles.