"I'll bet there's a cockroach in the kitchen," said the Very Young Man, jumping up.
The Doctor took a brass check from his pocket. "I thought probably you'd want to try them out. Will you get that box from the check-room?" He handed the check to the Very Young Man, who hurried out of the room. He returned in a moment, gingerly carrying a cardboard box with holes perforated in the top. The Doctor took the box and lifted the lid carefully. Inside, the box was partitioned into two compartments. In one compartment were three little lizards about four inches long; in the other were two brown sparrows. The Doctor took out one of the sparrows and replaced the cover.
"Fine," said the Very Young Man with enthusiasm.
The Doctor reached for the boxes of chemicals.
"Not the big one," said the Banker again, apprehensively.
"Hold him, will you," the Doctor said.
The Very Young Man took the sparrow in his hands.
"Now," continued the Doctor, "what we need is a plate and a little water."
"There's a tray," said the Very Young Man, pointing with his hands holding the sparrow.
The Doctor took a spoon from the tray and put a little water in it. Then he took one of the tiny pellets from a red vial and crushing it in his fingers, sprinkled a few grains into that water.