But I see you are wishing me at the devil, so give me a cigar and I will go--though not to that particular destination." "Will you have one of Thorndyke's special brand ?" I asked malignantly.
"What! those foul Trichinopolies?
Not while brown paper is to be obtained at every stationer's; I'd sooner smoke my own wig." I tendered my own case, from which he selected a cigar with anxious care and much sniffing; then he bade me a ceremonious adieu and departed down the stairs, blithely humming a melody from the latest comic opera.
He had not left more than five minutes when a soft and elaborate rat-tat from the little brass knocker brought my heart into my mouth.

I ran to the door and flung it open, revealing Juliet standing on the threshold.
"May I come in ?" she asked.

"I want to have a few words with you before we start." I looked at her with some anxiety, for she was manifestly agitated, and the hand that she held out to me trembled.
"I am greatly upset, Dr.Jervis," she said, ignoring the chair that I had placed for her.

"Mr.Lawley has been giving us his views of poor Reuben's case, and his attitude fills me with dismay." "Hang Mr.Lawley!" I muttered, and then apologised hastily.

"What made you go to him, Miss Gibson ?" "I didn't go to him; he came to us.