’Lastnight，sir，afteryouwereasleep，’wasthereply。
’It’smostextraordinary，’saidMr。Nicholson。’Doyoumeantosayyouhavebeenoutallnight？’
’Allnight，asyousay，sir。Ihavebeentothetelegraphandthepoliceoffice，andMr。Macewen’s。Oh，Ihadmyhandsfull，’saidAlexander。
’Veryirregular，’saidthefather。’Youthinkofnoonebutyourself。’
’IdonotseethatIhavemuchtogaininbringingbackmyelderbrother，’returnedAlexander，shrewdly。