quite a thrill when the policeman went out and locked the door
after him, leaving us shut in the dimly-lighted, little, stone
room. Before he went, he said that as soon as we had done talking
with our friend we should knock upon the door and he would come
and let us out.

At first I could hardly see anything, it was so dim inside. But
after a little I made out a low bed against the wall, under a
small barred window. On the bed, staring down at the floor
between his feet, sat the Hermit, his head resting in his hands.

"Well, Luke," said the Doctor in a kindly voice, "they don't give
you much light in here, do they?"

Very slowly the Hermit looked up from the floor.

"Hulloa, John Dolittle. What brings you here?"

"I've come to see you. I would have been here sooner, only I
didn't hear about all this till a few minutes ago. I went to your
hut to ask you if you would join me on a voyage; and when I found
it empty I had no idea where you could be. I am dreadfully sorry
to hear about your bad luck. I've come to see if there is
anything I can do."

Luke shook his head.

"No, I don't imagine there is anything can be done. They've
caught me at last. That's the end of it, I suppose."