“The business which has brought me here, Professor, is of a somewhat painful nature,” I began, as agreeable to his request I settled myself in a large easy chair, and, as he happened to sit opposite to me with his face to the window and the morning light shining full upon him, I had the advantage of being able to study every working, every move of his countenance, and I attached much importance to that—for he who examines the changes of the human face with the eye of a student sees many signs and indications which escape the vulgar and merely superficial gaze.
“Indeed,” he exclaimed, manifesting keen interest.
“Yes; and, as I said yesterday, it affects to some extent the happiness of a mutual friend.”
“Who is the friend?”
“Sir Vincent Pickering,” I answered.
“God bless my life, you do
