“Bring it over here, Shenstone. I want to be sure that the bell will wake me if I happen to doze.”
Shenstone did as he was ordered and was about to leave the room when Dr. Ringwood spoke again.
“Fog clearing off, by any chance?”
Shenstone shook his head.
“No, sir. Worse now than when you came in. Very thick indeed, sir. One can't see even the nearest street lamp.”
Dr. Ringwood nodded gloomily.
“It's to be hoped no one wants me to go out this evening. Difficult enough to find one's way about a strange town in the daytime with a fog like this over everything. But in the daytime there are always people about who can give you some help. Nobody bar policemen will be out to-night, I should think.”
Shenstone's face showed his sympathy.
“Very difficult for you, sir. If there's a night call, perhaps you'd knock me up, sir, and I could go out with you and help you to find your way. I'd be quite glad to do it, sir, if I could be of any service. When Dr. Carew went into the nursing home he specially impressed on me that I was to give you every assistance I could.”
A tired smile crossed Dr. Ringwood's face.