“And you don’t feel tired now?”

“Not a bit, yer honour.”

“Then,” I said, “I want to explain to you a few things that must have appeared strange.”

Accordingly I told him of Voltaire’s influence over me, and what came out of it.

“Why, sur,” said Simon, when I had finished, “that ’ere willain must be wuss nor a hinfidel; he must be the Old Nick in the garret.  And do you mean to say, sur, that that ’ere beautiful Miss Forrest, who I’ve put down for you, is goin’ to git married to that ‘ere somnamblifyin’ waccinatin’ willain, if his dutiful mate ain’t a found before Christmas Eve?”

“Only nine days, Simon.”

“But it mustn’t be, yer honour.”

“So I say, Simon; and that’s why I’ve sent for you.”

“But I can’t do nothink much, sur.  All my wits hev bin waccinated away, and my blood is puddled like, which hev affected the workin’ o’ my brains; and, you see, all your detective chaps have failed.”

“But I shan’t fail, if you’ll help me.”

“Help you, Mr. Blake?  You know I will!”

“Simon, you offered to be my friend, now nearly a year ago.”

“Ay, and this ’ere is a lad as’ll stick to his offer, sur, and mighty proud to do so.”

“Well, then, I’m in hopes we shall succeed.”

“How, yer honour?”

“By fighting Voltaire with his own weapons.”

“What, waccinatin’?”

“By mesmerism and clairvoyance, Simon.”

“And who’s the chap as hev got to be waccinated—­or mesmerized, as you call it?”

“You, if you will, Simon.”

“Me, sir?” said Simon, aghast.

“If you will.”

“Well, I said after that ’ere willain experimented on me in Yorkshire, I never would again; but if it’s for you, sur—­why, here goes; I’m purty tough.  But how’s it to be done?”

Then I told him of my interview with the professor, and how he had told me that only he—­Simon—­could give the necessary help.

“Let’s off at once, yer honour,” cried Simon.  “I’m willin’ for anything if you can git the hupper ’and of that ’ere willain and his other self.  Nine days, sur—­only nine days!  Let’s git to the waccinator.  I’d rather have small-pox a dozen times than you should be knocked overboard by sich as he.”

I was nothing loth, and so, although it was still early, we were soon in a cab on our way to the professor’s.  On arriving, we were immediately shown in, and the little man soon made his appearance.

“Ah! you’ve brought him?” said he.  “I’m glad to see you so prompt.  Would you mind taking this chair, my friend?”—­to Simon.  “That’s it, thank you.  You’ve been travelling all night and are a little tired, I expect.  No?  Well, it’s well to be strong and able to bear fatigue.  There, look at me.  Ah, that’s it!”

With that he put his fingers on Simon’s forehead, and my humble friend was unconscious of what was going on around him.