followed by Ah Tsong, he paused, turned, and said: "Mr. Knox, I should
esteem it a friendly action if you would spare me an hour of your
company before you leave Surrey. My visitors are few. Any one, any one,
will direct you to the Guest House. I am persuaded that we have much in
common. Good-day, sir."

He went down the steps, disappearing in company with the Chinaman, and
having watched them go, I turned to Mrs. Wootton, the landlady, in
silent astonishment.

She nodded her head and sighed.

"The same every day and every evening for months past," she said. "I am
afraid it's going to be the death of him."

"Do you mean that Mr. Camber comes here every day and is always fetched
by the Chinaman?"

"Twice every day," corrected the landlady, "and his poor wife sends
here regularly."

"What a tragedy," I muttered, "and such a brilliant man."

"Ah," said she, busily removing jugs and glasses from the counter, "it
does seem a terrible thing."

"Has Mr. Camber lived for long in this neighbourhood?" I ventured to
inquire.

"It was about three years ago, sir, that he took the old Guest House at