"I'll turn him off the first moment I catch him sober enough to understand me," said the admiral.
"Well, well; do as you please; but now let me ask a favour of both of you."
"What is it?"
"That you will leave Bannerworth Hall to me for a week."
"What for?"
"I hope to make some discoveries connected with it which shall well reward you for the trouble."
"It's no trouble," said Henry; "and for myself, I have amply sufficient faith, both in your judgment and in your friendship, doctor, to accede to any request which you may make to me."
"And I," said the admiral. "Be it so—be it so. For one week, you say?"
"Yes—for one week. I hope, by the end of that time, to have achieved something worth the telling you of; and I promise you that, if I am at all disappointed in my expectation, that I will frankly and freely communicate to you all I know and all I suspect."
"Then that's a bargain."