No one was to be seen or heard in front of him. He came to the
letter which marked Julius's abode. He looked into the gloomy doorway,
and resolved he would see and speak to Julius in any case. He passed
into the gloom and knocked at Julius's door. After a pause the door was
opened by Jenkins. Lefevre could not well make out the expression of the
serving-man's face, but he was satisfied that his voice was shaken as by
a recent shock.
"I wish to see Mr Courtney," said Lefevre, in the half hope that Jenkins
would say, "Which Mr Courtney?"
"Not at home, sir," said Jenkins in his flurried voice, and prepared to
shut the door.
"Not at home, Jenkins? You don't mean that!"
"Oh, it's you, Dr Lefevre, sir. Mr Courtney is not at home, but perhaps
he will see you, sir! I hope he will; for he don't seem to me at all
well."
"But if he is engaged, Jenkins--?"
"Oh, sir, you know what 'not-at-home' means," answered Jenkins. "It
means anything or nothing. Will you step into the drawing-room, sir,
while I inquire? Mr Courtney is in his study."
"Thank you, Jenkins," said the doctor; "I'll wait where I am.
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