. Alas! there was not the faintest.
The sight of the place would have damped the most sanguine man that
ever lived. It is one of those picturesque little English towns with
a history and little else. A Roman trench and a Norman keep are its
principal products. But to me the most amazing thing about it was the
cloud of doctors which had settled upon it. A double row of brass plates
flanked the principal street. Where their patients came from I could not
imagine, unless they practised upon each other. The host of the "Bull"
where I had my modest lunch explained the mystery to some extent by
saying that, as there was pure country with hardly a hamlet for nearly
twelve miles in every direction, it was in these scattered farm-houses
that the Stockwell doctors found their patients. As I chatted with him a
middle-aged, dusty-booted man trudged up the street. "There's Dr. Adam,"
said he. "He's only a new-comer, but they say that some o' these days
he'll be starting his carriage." "What do you mean by a new-comer?"
I asked. "Oh, he's scarcely been here ten years," said the landlord.
"Thank you," said I. "Can you tell me when the next train leaves for
Bradfield?" So back I came, rather heavy at heart, and having spent
ten or twelve shillings which I could ill afford. My fruitless journey
seemed a small thing, however, when I thought of the rising Stockwellite
with his ten years and his dusty boots. I can trudge along a path,
however rough, if it will but lead to something; but may kindly Fate
keep me out of all cul-de-sacs!

The Cullingworths did not receive me cordially upon my return. There was
a singular look upon both their faces which seemed to ME to mean that
they were disappointed at this hitch in getting rid of me. When I think
of their absolute geniality a few days ago, and their markedly reserved
manner now, I can make no sense out of it. I asked Cullingworth point
blank what it meant, but he only turned it off with a forced laugh, and
some nonsense about my thin skin. I think that I am the last man in the
world to take offence where none is meant; but at any rate I determined
to end the matter by leaving Bradfield at once. It had struck me, during
my journey back from Stockwell, that Birchespool would be a good place;
so on the very next day I started off, taking my luggage with me, and
bidding a final good-bye to Cullingworth and his wife.

"You rely upon me, laddie," said C. with something of his old geniality,
as w