“Burnt down! Nonsense! It’s been to let for the last three months. Yesterday morning I found the board was down, and last night Vernon told me that he has taken it. He’s taken it as it is, furnished, and is going in at once.” I was surprised, and, I suppose, showed that I was in my face, for he continued— “Oh, then you didn’t know! He hadn’t told you!” “He has told me nothing.” “It’s a strange business. I—I⸺” He began to walk to and fro. “Why should he come to live next door to me? Why should he⸺?” He stopped in front of me. “Did you tell him where I lived?” he said, almost menacingly. I resented his tone. “Look here, Deeming,” I said, quietly. “If we are to continue friends, there must really be an end of all this mystery and suspicion about nothing. Why shouldn’t I tell Vernon where you live?” “Did you tell him?” “Certainly. He asked me, and of course I answered. Are you a criminal hiding from justice, and is Vernon a detective? Upon my word⸺” I felt I was getting hot, and was silent. He stood quite still, staring at me for a moment with eyes that were almost fierce. Then he sat down on a sofa a little way from me, and said in a calmer voice— “Yes, of course there was no reason. Still, it’s very odd. You must see that.” “What is there odd in it? If it’s a good house, why shouldn’t Vernon take it as well as anyone else?” “It’s a fairly good house.” He moved, and leaned towards me. “Originally,” he said, speaking slowly, “originally it was one with mine. The two houses were thrown into one. That was when Renold, the author, lived there. Afterwards, it was as it is now. But it’s still almost like one house.” “How can that be?” “Well, the alteration was very flimsily carried out, I suppose; for in the one house one can—I hope to goodness Vernon isn’t much of a musician.” “You’re afraid of being disturbed?” “If he plays the piano—by Jove!” He burst into a laugh. “Look out in the papers very soon,” he said. “I shall probably be bringing a case against him for annoyance. I can’t stand a hullabaloo next door after I’ve finished my day’s work. I want rest and peace. It’s no joke being a successful physician, I can tell you.” I laughed too, almost as unnaturally as he had. “Oh,” I said, “you needn’t be afraid. Vernon does play, but I’m sure, if you ask him, he’ll put his piano against the wall of the other house, and keep the windows shut when he is practising. Why didn’t you speak about it last night?” “I’ll ask no favours of Vernon,” he said sternly. Then he got up. “I thought I’d just tell you,” he said. “Now I can’t stop. I’ve got a patient to see.” He gave me a feverish hand, and went quickly out of the room.