"What may be your pleasure, sir," he asked, "with us?"
"I fear that my coming in unperceived," returned the visitor, "has
alarmed you; but you were talking and did not hear me."
"My little woman says - perhaps you heard her say it," returned Mr.
Tetterby, "that it's not the first time you have alarmed her to-
night."
"I am sorry for it. I remember to have observed her, for a few
moments only, in the street. I had no intention of frightening
her."
As he raised his eyes in speaking, she raised hers. It was
extraordinary to see what dread she had of him, and with what dread
he observed it - and yet how narrowly and closely.
"My name," he said, "is Redlaw. I come from the old college hard
by. A young gentleman who is a student there, lodges in your
house, does he not?"
"Mr. Denham?" said Tetterby.
"Yes."
It was a natural action, and so slight as to be hardly noticeable;
but the little man, before speaking again, passed his hand across
his forehead, and looked quickly round the room, as though he were
sensible of some change in its atmosphere. The Chemist, instantly
transferring to him the look of dread he had directed towards the
wife, stepped back, and his face turned paler.
"The gentleman's room," said Tetterby, "is upstairs, sir. There's
a more convenient private entrance; but as you have come in here,
it will save your going out into the cold, if you'll take this
little staircase," showing one communicating directly with the
parlour, "and go up to him that way, if you wish to see him.
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