‘Be warned, Paul Lessingham—be warned!’
For my part, that settled it. There was a mystery here which needed to be unravelled. Twice had he called upon Paul’s name,—and in the strangest fashion! It was for me to learn the why and the wherefore; to ascertain what connection there was between this lifeless creature and Paul Lessingham. Providence might have cast him there before my door. I might be entertaining an angel unawares. My mind was made up on the instant.
‘Peter, hasten for Dr Cotes.’ Peter passed the word, and immediately a footman started running as fast as his legs would carry him. ‘Officer, I will have this man taken into my father’s house.—Will some of you men help to carry him?’
There were volunteers enough, and to spare. I spoke to Peter in the hall.
‘Is papa down yet?’
‘Mr Lindon has sent down to say that you will please not wait for him for breakfast. He has issued instructions to have his breakfast conveyed to him upstairs.’
‘That’s all right.’ I nodded towards the poor wretch who was being carried through the hall. ‘You will say nothing to him about this unless he particularly asks. You understand?’
Peter bowed. He is discretion itself. He knows I have my vagaries, and it is not his fault if the savour of them travels to papa.
The doctor was in the house almost as soon as the stranger.
‘Wants washing,’ he remarked, directly he saw him.