He shook hands with his host, and at the same time his glance travelled inquisitively toward Colin.
"That's quite correct," replied the Professor. "I was just showing the laboratory to my young friend here. By the way, let me introduce you. Doctor Gray—Mr. Medwin."
Colin felt his hand enveloped in a large, soft palm, while a pair of very acute eyes rapidly scanned his face.
"I am delighted to meet you," said Mr. Medwin.
"It's a pleasure that you will probably have on future occasions," observed the Professor. "Doctor Gray is coming to live here as my resident assistant."
It seemed to Colin that in spite of his bland manner the lawyer was momentarily disconcerted.
"Really," he observed, after a slight hesitation, "I had no idea that you were contemplating anything of that sort."
"I don't suppose you had," said the Professor drily. "The idea only occurred to me last week, but when I make up my mind I generally act upon it at once. If you will forgive my saying so, Medwin, it's a habit that some members of your profession might cultivate with advantage."
Mr. Medwin, who appeared to have recovered his self-possession, smiled affably.
"I won't dispute the statement," he said. "There's no doubt that, taking us altogether, we're a dilatory lot."