He crossed the street and walked up and down, keeping his eye on Lowndes Mansions.  Before long the doctor came out and drove away.  After much indecision Gammon again entered and knocked at the door of his noble friend.  The housekeeper said that Lord Polperro was asking for him impatiently.  But when he entered the sitting-room there lay his lordship on the sofa fast asleep.

The sleep lasted for a couple of hours, during which Gammon sat in the room, bearing tedium as best he could.  He was afraid to go away, lest an opportunity of learning something important should be lost; but never had time passed so slowly.  Some neglect of business was involved, but fortunately he had no appointment that could not be postponed.  As he said to himself, it was better to “see the thing through,” and to make the most of Greenacre’s absence.

When Lord Polperro at length awoke he had command of his intellect (such as remained to him), but groaned in severe pain.  His first inquiry was whether any letter or telegram had arrived.  Assured that there was nothing he tottered about the room for a few minutes, then declared that he must go to bed.

“I always feel better in the evening, Gammon.  You’ll excuse me, I know; we are old friends.  I must see you again to-day; you’ll promise to come back?  Oh, how ill I am!  I don’t think this can go on much longer.”

“What did the doctor tell you to do?”

“Oh, nothing, nothing,” was the irritable reply.  “Of course, I must get away as soon as possible.  If only I could hear from Greenacre.”

Seeing there was no likelihood of the man’s leaving home for the next few hours Gammon promised to return in the afternoon, and so took his leave.  On the stairs he passed two ladies, who, as he learnt in a moment by the sound of their knock above, were making a call upon the invalid.  In the street stood their carriage.  He watched it for some time from the other side of the way until the ladies came forth again.  It would have soothed Gammon’s mind could he have known that they were Lord Polperro’s sister and his niece.

Just as the brief daylight was flickering. out (the air had begun to nip with a threat of frost) he once more presented himself at Lowndes Mansions.  In the meantime he had seen Polly Sparkes, informed her of what was happening, and received her promise that she would take no step until he could communicate with her again.  This interview revived his spirits; he felt equal to another effort such as that of the morning—­which had taxed him more than the hardest day’s work he was ever called upon to do.

Lord Polperro again sat by the fireside with a decanter and glass within his reach.  He was evidently more at ease, but seemed to have a difficulty in recognizing his visitor.

“Have you come from Greenacre?” he asked cautiously, peering through the dull light.

“I don’t know anything about him.”

“No?  I cannot understand why I have no news from him.  Pray sit down; we were talking about—­”