I had been testing each metal in turn, exposing them to the influence for from one to two hours.

I had just got everything in position, and had completed my connection, when I received a telegram to say that John Stillingfleet, an old chemist in London with whom I had been on terms of intimacy, was dangerously ill, and had expressed a wish to see me.

The last train was due to leave in twenty minutes, and I lived a good mile from the station, I thrust a few things into a bag, locked my laboratory, and ran as hard as I could to catch it.
"It was not until I was in London that it suddenly occurred to me that I had neglected to shut off the current, and that it would continue to pass through the bar of bismuth until the batteries were exhausted.

The fact, however, seemed to be of small importance, and I dismissed it from my mind.

I was detained in London until the Tuesday night, and it was Wednesday morning before I got back to my work.