And instantly there came a remarkable change over my guardian. In all my life I never remember to have seen a man so suddenly become a wild beast in a moment as Jervis Fanshawe did then. He ran to the door, and pulled it open, and spluttered out blasphemies into the darkness of the staircase; slammed the door, and came back into the room again, and raged up and down there, saying horrible things about Hockley until my blood seemed to run cold. And all the time taking not the faintest notice of me at all. Presently he sat down at the table, pulling at his lips with his long fingers, and still muttering and breathing hard; it was like the gradual dying away of a storm. After a time I ventured to speak to him, and to wish him good-night; I believe I muttered some thanks for my entertainment. As he took no notice of me, I went to the door, and found my way to the place where my hat was; I was going out, when I heard his voice calling to me sharply. I went back, and found him waiting there, with a face that was comparatively calm. "I don't know much about you artist fellows," he said, without looking at me--"but I believe you sketch--paint out of doors--don't you?" As I murmured that we did sometimes do that kind of thing, he went on hurriedly: "I know a place where you would probably find some good bits to sketch; you'd better go down with me. It's the place that fellow spoke of just now--Hammerstone Market. I've got to go down there--on business; old Patton lives there." "Patton?" I asked vaguely; for I seemed to have seen the name somewhere. "Yes, yes," he replied impatiently. "Patton & Co.: the people for whom I am manager. You were in their place to-day. He has a country house--down there--and I go down when I like. We'll go on Tuesday; pack your things; I want you to make a bit of a splash down there--play the gentleman. Do you understand?" "Not quite," I said. "I want to take the wind out of this fellow's sails--this beast Hockley," he said. "I'd grind him to powder, if I had the chance--crush him to nothing. You and I will play our own game, Charlie"--(it was the first time he had called me by that name, and I was a little surprised)--"and make him put his tail between his legs. There--we won't talk any more about it; good-night!"