had
enough to remember you by, and to learn that the way of the traitor is
the rocky road to Dublin. Come now, Doctor, the door is open; get out
into the passage as quick as you can, and I hope you have another
bottle of that excellent lotion at home."

The threatening attitude of both Jem and Paddy seemed to paralyse the
little man with fear, and he lay on the boards glaring up at them with
terror in his eyes.

"I'm holding the door open for you," said I, "and remember I may not
be able to hold Paddy and Jem as easily as I hold the door; so make
your escape before they get into action again."

Doctor Chord rolled himself over quickly, but, not daring to get on
his feet, trotted out into the passage like a big dog on his hands and
knees; and just then a waiter, coming up with a tray and not counting
on this sudden apparition in the hallway, fell over him; and if it
were not for my customary agility and presence of mind in grasping the
broad metal server, a good part of my supper would have been on the
floor. The waiter luckily leaned forward when he found himself
falling, holding the tray high over his head, and so, seizing it, I
saved the situation and the supper.

"What are ye grovelling down there for, ye drunken beast?" shouted the
angry waiter, as he came down with a thud. "Why don't you walk on your
two feet like a Christian?"

Doctor Chord took the hint and his departure, running along the
passage and stumbling down the stairway like a man demented. When he
got down into the courtyard he shook his fist at my window and swore
he would have the law of us; but I never saw the little man again,
although Paddy and Jem were destined to meet him once more, as I shall
tell later on.

The supper being now laid, I fell at it and I dis-remember having ever
enjoyed a meal more in my life. I sent Paddy and Jem to their quarters
with food and a bottle of good wine to keep them company, and I think
they deserved it, for they said the lotion the Doctor had put on the
outside of them was stinging, so they thought there should be
something in the inside to counteract the inconvenience.

I went to sleep the moment I touched the pillow, and dreamed I was in
the most umbrageous lover's walk that ever was, overhung with green
branches through which the sunlight flickered, and closed in with
shrubbery. There I chased a flying nymph that always just eluded me,
laughing at me over her shoulder and putting her finger to her lips,