ittle upon the matter that he did not hurry to his
friend's rooms till after dinner, and, to his surprise, found that he
was either not in or obstinately determined not to be interrupted, for
there was no reply to his knocking.

"I'll get him to let me have a latchkey," he thought, "for he is not fit
to be left alone."

On the chance of Stratton being there he went on to Benchers' Inn, and,
to his surprise and satisfaction, he saw a light in the room.

After a few minutes his knock was responded to, and he was admitted.

"You have come again, then," said Stratton reproachfully.

"Of course," replied Guest, and he snatched at the idea again about
Brettison. "Look here," he said, "I have made up my mind that the
proper thing to do is to have that room entered. Brettison has been
away months, and it ought to be done."

"But you have no authority," said Stratton uneasily.

"You have, as his nearest friend and neighbour."

"No, no, no," said Stratton uneasily.

"I tell you it's right," said Guest. "We'll go to the station quietly,
give notice, and a couple of men will come, and bring a locksmith or
carpenter to open the door."

"Impossible! The publicity: it would be horrible."

"If we found the old fellow lying dead there, yes. But he may not be."

"No, he may not be, so it cannot be done," said Stratton with an
unwonted animation which made Guest the more eager.

"But it can."

"I say no," said Stratton angrily.

"But I say yes."

"You have no right, no business whatever, to interfere in the matter. I
will not have Mr Brettison's place broken open and his things
disturbed. It shall not be done."

"Bravo," thought Guest; "a little more argument of this sort would bring
him round." And full of determination, right or wrong, to persevere he
said distinctly:

"Look here, Stratton, have you any special reason for refusing to listen
to my words?"

"I--I--a reason?" cried Stratton looking startled. "None whatever."

"Oh! You seemed so stubborn."

"The natural feeling of a scientific man against intruders meddling with
his study."

"Mr Brettison made no objection to your breaking in upon him when he
was dangerously ill and would have died without your help."

Stratton was silenced for the moment, but he broke out directly with:

"But I am sure he has not been back."

"How can you be, away as you have been so long?"

"I should have heard him or seen him. He would have come in to me."

"