46954    She came out and helped the man to hand down our bags.

46955    'You don't mind my driving straight home, Sir Henry?' said Dr Mortimer.

46956    'My wife is expecting me.'

46957    'Surely you will stay and have some dinner?'

46958    'No, I must go.

46959    I shall probably find some work awaiting me.

46960    I would stay to show you over the house, but Barrymore will be a better guide than I.

46961    Good-bye, and never hesitate night or day to send for me if I can be of service.'

46962    The wheels died away down the drive while Sir Henry and I turned into the hall, and the door clanged heavily behind us.

46963    It was a fine apartment in which we found ourselves, large, lofty, and heavily raftered with huge balks of age-blackened oak.

46964    In the great old-fashioned fireplace behind the high iron dogs a log-fire crackled and snapped.

46965    Sir Henry and I held out our hands to it, for we were numb from our long drive.

46966    Then we gazed round us at the high, thin window of old stained glass, the oak panelling, the stags' heads, the coats-of-arms upon the walls, all dim and sombre in the subdued light of the central lamp.

46967    It's just as I imagined it,' said Sir Henry.

46968    'Is it not the very picture of an old family home?