"Oh, yes! Fiends are on my track! Don't let them get possession of me again, Mr. Burress, I am pursued--yes--faster--faster!" "But what has startled you, poor thing, since we left the Repository? You seemed quite calm after the Perkins elixir--and those tears. Ah! I understand!" and he coughed several times significantly. "The doctor will set all right, I suppose, when I give you into his hands. I am glad I came with you myself--courage, we shall soon be there!" "Yes--yes--he is my only hope! I will explain all when we are safe with him. It is not as you think! I have no strength now. Don't question me further, it exhausts me to talk. Just drag me along." And silently and valiantly did he betake himself to his task. The noisome alley was threaded, and again we emerged into the sleety, lamp-lit street, a few doors from the corner of that block, in the centre of which Dr. Pemberton resided. As we approached the friendly threshold, the exact situation of which was familiar to my companion, he pointed it out triumphantly with his stick. "We shall soon be there," he reiterated, "no need for hurry now." But as he spoke I saw a carriage turn the corner we were facing, and again I urged on my lagging escort to his utmost speed. I ran up the sleety steps in advance of him, and rang the bell with convulsive energy. Its summons was answered promptly, but not a second too soon, for, as the door opened to admit me, the carriage paused before the door, and two men leaped from it, one of whom, the taller, thrusting Burress aside, rushed up the steps after me with outstretched arms. I had found refuge in the vestibule, and slammed the door in his face--closing, as it did, with a spring-lock--before he reached the platform. Then turning to his companion, he fled down to the street again, with the cry that reached my ear distinctly, of "Baffled, by God!" on his profane lips, and the twain drove off as rapidly as they had come. A moment later a feeble ring at the door, and a voice from without, assuring the inmates that it was only N.B. Burress, and conjuring them not to be alarmed, caused him to be admitted at once by the house-maid, and shown into the same small front study into which she had conducted me to await the doctor's appearance. "What name shall I give? The doctor is engaged," said the house-maid, lingering. "If one at all, merely let me know when he is ready to see me. I am tired and cold, and can wait patiently by this good fire." "It may be some time, miss; would you like a cup of hot coffee, you and this gentleman? The doctor has just had his supper, and there is a pint or more left in the urn." "Thanks--nothing could be more welcome," and the house-maid disappeared. "That is the way of this house--patients are always entertained, if in need of refreshment," said Mr. Burress, advancing to the chimney, while he rubbed his hands in a self-gratulatory manner, then expanded them before the bright glare that filled every pore with warmth.