"Yes, sir, after a great deal of persuasion, and almost a quarrel, sir. I could hear master and Mr Thompson, sir, talking through the door, and he said master ought to be ashamed of himself if he let a gentleman who was suffering come down from town and drive all the way across from King's Hampton in the hope of being cured, and then let him go back without seeing him." "Yes, Mrs Milt; go on," said the curate eagerly. "Well, sir, after a long fight Mr Thompson went away, but he went and tried again and master gave way directly, and went down in his dressing-gown, looking all white and scared, and saw those two gentlemen who have just gone away." "Well, I'm glad of that--heartily glad," said Salis. "It is the thin end of the wedge, Mrs Milt, and we have good cause to be grateful to Mr Thompson for what he has done. Seeing patients again! This is good news indeed. He will see me now." Mrs Milt shook her head. "I'm afraid not, sir." "I must be a patient." "You, sir? Why, you look the picture of health." "But I have been very patient, Mrs Milt," said Salis, laughing. "Ah, sir, and so have I," said the housekeeper dolefully: "and a deal I've suffered, what with master's illness, and my conscience." The old lady put her apron to her eyes, and gave vent to a low sob. "Your conscience, Mrs Milt," said Salis, smiling. "Why, I should have thought that was clear enough." "Clear, sir? Oh, no! It's many a bitter night I've spent thinking of my temper, and the way I've worried poor master when he's had all his work on his shoulders. I've helped to make him what he is. Oh, there's that man, sir!" She drew the curate within and closed the door, for steps were heard, and Cousin Thompson passed round from the back-garden to go down to the gate. "He's gone out, sir; and I'll try now if master will see you. It worries him dreadfully his cousin being here, and it always did." Closing and fastening the door the housekeeper led the way to the first-floor landing, and, signing to Salis to be silent, she tapped gently at the doctor's door. The moment before they had faintly heard the sound of some one pacing to and fro, but at the first tap on the door this ceased. There was no answer. The housekeeper knocked again, and in simple, old English, country fashion called gently: "Master, master!" Still there was no response; but she persevered, and knocked again. "Master, master!" "Yes, what is it?" came from within; and Mrs Milt turned and gave the curate a satisfied nod, as she said: "Mr Salis, sir. He would like to see you." There was a pause, and then hoarsely: "Tell Mr Salis I am ill, and can see no one." The curate was about to speak, but Mrs Milt hastily raised her hand. "But I'm sure he'd like to see you very much, sir. Mr Thompson's gone out." "Tell Mr Salis--" There was a pause, and the curate went close to the door.