"Ah! you are expected—enter," is the surprising reply, and the professor calls his attention to it by a sly dig in the ribs.
They start to enter, when the faithful servitor of the house bars the way of the professor.
"Pardon; I said Doctor Craig."
"Well?" demands Philander, bristling up.
"You can wait for him outside. I will give you a chair, a cigar."
The professor laughs in good humor.
"Bless you, I'm Doctor Craig's shadow; he can't go anywhere but with me. Fetch two chairs. We will interview your master outside."
The citizen of Malta appears perplexed. John comes to the rescue.
"It will be all right; this gentleman is my companion, my interpreter. It is necessary that he accompany me. Enter, professor."
His assurance carries the day; the man backs down and allows Philander a passage.