’Mr。Goodchildwillkeepmecompanytillyoucomehome。Don’thurry。Excusemycallingyouback。’
’Itisnot，’saidtheAssistant，withhisformersmile，’thefirsttimeyouhavecalledmeback，dearDoctor。’Withthosewordshewentaway。
’Mr。Goodchild，’saidDoctorSpeddie，inalowvoice，andwithhisformertroubledexpressionofface，’Ihaveseenthatyourattentionhasbeenconcentratedonmyfriend。’
’Hefascinatesme。Imustapologisetoyou，buthehasquitebewilderedandmasteredme。’
’Ifindthatalonelyexistenceandalongsecret，’saidtheDoctor，drawinghischairalittlenearertoMr。Goodchild’s，’becomeinthecourseoftimeveryheavy。Iwilltellyousomething。Youmaymakewhatuseyouwillofit，underfictitiousnames。IknowImaytrustyou。Iamthemoreinclinedtoconfidenceto-night，throughhavingbeenunexpectedlyledback，bythecurrentofourconversationattheInn，toscenesinmyearlylife。Willyoupleasetodrawalittlenearer？’