During the greater portion of it he was alone; but ever and anon some bustling woman would enter and depart without even deigning to notice the questions which he asked.

And then after a while he found himself in company with a very respectable gentleman in black, who belonged to the medical profession.

'Is it coming ?' asked Macassar.

'Is it, is it coming ?' "'Well, we hope so--we hope so,' said the medical gentleman.

'If not to-day, it will be to-morrow.