“Hulloa, John Dolittle. What brings you here?”
“I’ve come to see you. I would have been here sooner, only I didn’t hear about all this till a few minutes ago. I went to your hut to ask you if you would join me on a voyage; and when I found it empty I had no idea where you could be. I am dreadfully sorry to hear about your bad luck. I’ve come to see if there is anything I can do.”
Luke shook his head.
“No, I don’t imagine there is anything can be done. They’ve caught me at last. That’s the end of it, I suppose.”
He got up stiffly and started walking up and down the little room.
“In a way I’m glad it’s over,” said he. “I never got any peace, always thinking they were after me—afraid to speak to anyone. They were bound to get me in the end—Yes, I’m glad it’s over.”
Then the Doctor talked to Luke for more than half an hour, trying to cheer him up; while I sat around wondering what I ought to say and wishing I could do something.
At last the Doctor said he wanted to see Bob; and we knocked upon the door and were let out by the policeman.
“Bob,” said the Doctor to the big bulldog in the passage, “come out with me into the porch. I want to ask you something.”
“How is he, Doctor?” asked Bob as we walked down the corridor into the Court-house porch.