“Well,” said Meredith, “excuse me, I have kept you too long waiting. You are after the fellow who knocked me down, officer--have you got any trace?” “Well, sir,” said the policeman, “you might say nearly murdered you. I’m glad to see you so well again.” “Thanks,” said Meredith, “as I’m so well, we’ll say only knocked me down: and if he hadn’t taken me at a disadvantage in coming up behind me, I suppose I ought to have been able to give a good account of him.” “Ah!” said the policeman, “one of those fellows he wouldn’t face a gentleman like you. I’m sorry to say we’ve no trace of him--nothing as I could act upon: but I’ve got the man as saw it from the other side of the street, and he says he could pick out the man from any dozen. He says he would know his face again wherever he saw him; he’s got a notion, besides, of where the fellow’s to be found. I was thinking as you might like to question him yourself; I have got him just round the corner, waiting with one of my mates, if you’d like to see him yourself.” “Ah!” said Meredith, “it wouldn’t be a bad thing. What do you say, Dolff? Don’t you think we might have this man--who could recognize the cad who hit me behind my back, here?” Dolff’s tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. He stood in his corner, and glanced at the speaker, but did not answer a word. “I could have him here in a moment,” the policeman said. “It would be interesting,” said Mrs. Harwood, “but a little exciting; and, if he saw him so well, why didn’t he secure him there and then?” “His attention, ma’am, was called off by the gentleman as he thought was dying; but I don’t think as it is too late.” Did the detective glance into the corner too, at Dolff standing in dark shadow against the wall? “I am only afraid it will be too much for you in your weak state,” said Gussy, looking anxiously at her patient. “We’ll let Dolff decide,” said Meredith, with once more that dreadful laugh. “Come, give us your advice, as you have had all the previous information. Shall we have this man in who can identify--the murderer, Dolff?” There was a pause, which even to the unsuspecting ladies had something dreadful in it. Dolff cleared his throat and moistened his parched lips. “You can have him--if you wish it, I suppose?” he said. The crisis, however, passed off for the moment in an unexpected way--for Meredith’s strength suddenly forsook him, and he had to be taken back to his room in something very like a faint. CHAPTER XXXVIII.