CHAPTER XIV.
"Now, by two-headed Janus, Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time." Hardinge is hardly gone, before another--a far heavier--step sounds in the passage outside the professor's door.

It is followed by a knock, almost insolent in its loudness and sharpness.
"What a hole you do live in," says Sir Hastings, stepping into the room, and picking his way through the books and furniture as if afraid of being tainted by them.

"Bless me! what strange beings you scientists are.

Rags and bones your surroundings, instead of good flesh and blood.

Well, Thaddeus--hardly expected to see _me_ here, eh ?" "You want me ?" says the professor.