A few moments later his man entered saying:
“A gentleman to see you, sir—Doctor Diamond.”
Frank started. His visitor was the very man of all men he wished most to consult, therefore he gave orders for him to be shown in at once.
“Why, my dear Doctor,” cried the young fellow, as the ugly little old man entered, “this is a real surprise! I thought of running down to Horsford to see you in the morning. Take off your coat and sit down. I want to have a serious chat with you.”
“I got no reply to my two letters, Mr Farquhar,” said the crook-backed little man in explanation of his visit. “So I thought I’d just run up and see how you are progressing with our business.”
Frank helped him off with his shabby frieze coat and, having installed him comfortably by the fire and given him a cigar, replied:
“Well, Doctor, the fact is I did not reply to your letters because I had nothing definite to report. I trust you will not attribute my silence to any want of courtesy. I have been busy over the matter ever since I returned to London.”
“And with what result?” asked the crafty-eyed little man.
“Nothing very satisfactory, I regret to say,” was the young man’s answer. “Yet I am not discouraged. Professor Griffin, before whom I have placed it, gives as his opinion that there is probably, something in the theory, but he will not quite commit himself to any absolute declaration.”
“Is he really competent to judge?” Diamond queried.