In vain I begged for leave to share his vigil.

He would hear of no such thing, but turned me out as he had turned out the others, bade me a brief "Good-night," and desired me to run home as quickly as I could.
At that stage of my history, to hear was to obey; so I took my way quietly through the bar of the hotel, and had just reached the door when a touch on my sleeve arrested me.

It was Mr.Cobbe, the landlord--a portly, red-whiskered Boniface of the old English type.
"Good-evening, Mr.Basil," said he.

"Going home, sir ?" "Yes, Mr.Cobbe," I replied.

"I can be of no further use here." "Well, sir, you've been of more use this evening than anybody--let alone the Doctor--that I must say for you," observed Mr.Cobbe, approvingly.
"I never see such presence o' mind in so young a gen'leman before.
Never, sir.