Page:Clement Fezandié - Through the Earth.djvu/114



T half-past ten o'clock there was a knock at the door of the doctor's private office.

"Come in," said Dr. Giles, and there was a tremor in his voice as he uttered these two familiar words.

A boy entered—a young lad with a pleasant face, but evidently belonging to the poorer classes; for while there were no holes in his clothing, it was full of patches of different colors. But, in spite of this, he had an indescribable air of neatness about his person. Evidently he had seen better days.

A shade of disappointment passed over the doctor's face as he gazed searchingly upon the lad.

Mr. Curtis and Flora, at a sign from Dr. Giles, had discreetly retired to an adjoining room, from which, however, they could hear all that passed.