The first I took up bore the name of Mr.Septimus Codd, that of the second, Mr.George Kitwater.

When I had finished the letter I was in the act of dictating, I bade the clerk admit them, and a moment later the blind man and his companion whom I had seen on Ludgate Hill the previous evening, were ushered into my presence.

I cannot remember a more venerable appearance than that presented by the taller man.

His was a personality that would have appealed forcibly to any student of humanity.

It was decidedly an open countenance, to which the long white beard that descended almost to his waist gave an added reverence.