ad-shouldered gentleman, in a suit of snuff
colour, came slowly across the court, with both hands behind him, and
a cane rapping against his heels.

"Dr. Beckerleg."

"Hey? Why--Captain Barker! Captain Runacles! Glad to see you
both--glad to see you both home again! Also I'd be glad to know what
you're both doing here, at such a time."

The captains looked at each other and coughed. They turned towards
the doorway. The serving-girl had disappeared, taking their letters
with her. Captain Barker faced round upon the Doctor.

"You said 'at such a time,' sir."

"I did."

"And why not at this time, as well as another?"

"God bless me! Is it possible you don't know?"

"It is not only possible, but certain."

The Doctor bent his head, pointed up at a window, and whispered; then
went softly up the three steps into the house.

He left the two friends staring at each other. They stood and stared
at each other for three minutes or more. Then Captain Barker spoke
in a hoarse whisper.

"Jemmy, do you know anything about this--this kind of business?"

"Nothing. I was abroad, you know, when my own little maid--"

"Yes, I remember. But I thought, perhaps--say, I can't go home
till--till I've seen the Doctor again."

"Nor I."

A dull moan sounded within the house.

"Oh, my God!" groaned Captain Runacles; "Meg--Meg!"

A lattice was opened softly above them and the doctor leant out.

"Go away--you two!" he whispered and waved his hand towards the gate.

"But, Doctor--"

"H'sh! I'll come and tell you when it's over. Where shall you be?"

"At the Three Crowns, down the street here."

"Right."

The lattice was closed again very gently. Captain Barker laid his
hand upon the tall man's sleeve.

"Jemmy, we're out of this action. I thought I knew what it meant to
lay-to and have to look on while a fight went forward; but I didn't.
Come--"

They passed out of the courtyard and down the street towards the
Three Crowns. Beneath the sign of that inn there lounged a knot of
officers wearing the flesh-coloured facings of the Buffs, and within
a young baritone voice was uplifted and trolling, to the
accompaniment of clinking glasses, a song of Mr. Shirley's:

You virgins that did late despair
To keep your wealth from cruel men,
Tie up in silk your careless hair:
Soft Peace is come again! . . .

There was one sitting-room but no bedroom to be had at the Three
Crowns. So they