He took him warmly by both hands as he bade him be seated. He asked in the most concerned way about his present state of health, after the terrible adventure which was now the talk of thousands. He hoped that the heat of the room with its blazing fire was not inimical to the Professor's convalescence.
Professor Higginson was rather curt for such a genial host.
"I won't detain you, Mr. Kirby," he said, "it is very good of you to have given me a moment or two of your valuable time." He thought a moment. He was not good at plots, or rather he had had to construct too many lately in too short a time. At last he began tentatively
"Perhaps you know, Mr. Kirby—I am afraid it is widely known—in fact, you do know, for you have just told me as much—that I—that in fact I have had an unfortunate—er—lapse."
Mr. Kirby nodded sympathetically.
"Pray do not insist, my dear Professor," he murmured; "most touching, most interesting. Now with your expert knowledge of the phenomena of consciousness"
Professor Higginson interrupted.
"The point is, Mr. Kirby, that knowing
