the misadventure of so prominent a citizen: at whose hand he had suffered, or what adventure had befallen him; was it murder—but they saw it was not that; whether the reward which had been offered should be withdrawn, and what clues the Professor could furnish.
Mr. Higginson looked blankly at these men, then his eyes lit with anger. He was upon the very point of pouring out the whole story of his woes, when with that cold wind upon the heart which the condemned feel when they awake to reality upon the morning of execution, he remembered the cheque and was suddenly silent.
"You 'd better leave me!" he muttered. "You 'd better leave me, officer!"
"We were instructed, sir," began the senior man more respectfully than ever—then Professor Higginson bolted to refuge.
"Well, I will see you in a minute; I must put myself right. I am all"
"We quite understand, sir," said the policemen, taking their stations in the ground floor room, and drawing chairs as with the intention of sitting down and awaiting his pleasure.
"I will see you when I can. Mrs. Randle, please bring me some hot water."
