Dr. Kemp’s Visitor

           Dr.Kemphadcontinuedwritinginhisstudyuntiltheshotsarousedhim.Crack,crack,crack,theycameoneaftertheother. 

           "Hullo!"saidDr.Kemp,puttinghispenintohismouthagainandlistening."Who'slettingoffrevolversinBurdock? Whataretheassesatnow?" 

           Hewenttothesouthwindow,threwitup,andleaningoutstareddownonthenetworkofwindows,beadedgas-lampsandshops,withitsblackintersticesofroofandyardthatmadeupthetownatnight. "Lookslikeacrowddownthehill,"hesaid,"by'TheCricketers,'"andremainedwatching. Thencehiseyeswanderedoverthetowntofarawaywheretheships'lightsshone,andthepierglowed—alittleilluminated,facettedpavilionlikeagemofyellowlight. Themooninitsfirstquarterhungoverthewestwardhill,andthestarswereclearandalmosttropicallybright. 

           Afterfiveminutes,duringwhichhismindhadtravelledintoaremotespeculationofsocialconditionsofthefuture,andlostitselfatlastoverthetimedimension,Dr.Kemprousedhimselfwithasigh,pulleddownthewindowagain,andreturnedtohiswritingdesk. 

           Itmusthavebeenaboutanhourafterthisthatthefront-doorbellrang. Hehadbeenwritingslackly,andwithintervalsofabstraction,sincetheshots. Hesatlistening. Heheardtheservantanswerthedoor,andwaitedforherfeetonthestaircase,butshedidnotcome. "Wonderwhatthatwas,"saidDr.Kemp. 

           Hetriedtoresumehiswork,failed,gotup,wentdownstairsfromhisstudytothelanding,rang,andcalledoverthebalustradetothehousemaidassheappearedinthehallbelow. "Wasthataletter?"heasked. 

           "Onlyarunawayring,sir,"sheanswered.