Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/225

 to his own head, he will have some slight idea of the gentle exercise indulged in by Dick as he spoke.

When his housekeeper, old Elspeth, gently suggested that perhaps there might yet be nothing in it after all, he cried, "Why, don't you think I know the man? Is it not he all over? Going to travel through the air, indeed! He will be jealous of the eagles now! But, by Jove, this shall not be if I can prevent it. If you only leave him to himself, he will be setting off some fine morning up to the moon!" The same evening, Kennedy, half angry, half uneasy, took the train at the General Railway Station, and next morning arrived in London.

Three-quarters of an hour afterwards a cab left him at the door of the doctor's house in Greek Street, Soho; ascending the steps he knocked loudly five times.

Ferguson himself opened the door. "Why, Dick?" he exclaimed, apparently not much surprised at his friend's appearance.

"Yes, Dick himself," replied Kennedy.

"My dear Dick, how is it that you are up in town when the hunting is going on?"

"Yes, I am in London."

"And why have you come up?"

"To prevent a foolish action."

"A foolish action?" echoed the doctor.

"Is this true?" asked Kennedy, holding out the article in the Daily Telegraph for his friend's inspection.

"Ah! that is what you are driving at. How very indiscreet these newspapers are. But take a chair, Dick, old fellow."

"No, I shan't," said Dick. "Then you are quite determined to undertake this journey?"

"Quite. My arrangements are being made, and I"

"Your arrangements! I should like to knock your arrangements to pieces." The worthy Scot was waxing very angry.

"Calm yourself, my dear Dick," said the doctor. "I can understand your irritation. You are vexed because I have not sooner made you acquainted with my new plans."

"He talks of new plans, indeed!"

"I have been very busy," continued Samuel, without noticing the interruption; "there has been so much to do.