And he was hurrying out of the room, but before he could reach the door, it was opened by the servant, and Atherton Legh came in.
Under the circumstances the interruption was vexatious, but quickly recovering from the confusion into which he was thrown, the doctor exclaimed, "You are the person I wanted to see."
Seizing the young man's arm, he led him to a small adjoining room that served as a study.
"You will think my conduct strange," he said, "but there is no time for explanation. Will you take a message from me to Sir Richard Rawcliffe?"
"Willingly," replied Atherton, "I was going to him after I had said a few words to you."
"Our conference must be postponed," said the doctor.
He then sat down and tracing a few hasty lines on a sheet of paper, directed and sealed the note, and gave it to Atherton.
"Take this to Sir Richard, without loss of time," he said. "You will render him an important service."
"I shall be very glad to serve him," replied the young man. "But may I not know the nature of my mission?"
"Be satisfied that it is important," said the doctor. "I shall see you again later on. Perhaps Sir Richard may have a message to send to me."