“I wish I could hope not; but—”
“But—?”
“It is.”
Brune stood up. His face was quite calm now and his voice, when he spoke again, was firm and vibrating.
“I have some work that I should wish to finish. How long can you give me?”
“Three months.”
“One will do if my strength keeps up at all. Good-bye.”
There was a thin chink of coins grating one against the other. The specialist said:—
“I will call on you to-morrow, between four and five. I have more directions to give you. To-day my time is so much taken up. Good-bye.”
The door closed.