And it seemed my own eye had this disconcerting quality, for even as I looked at him, the document suddenly went up again and began to shake violently.
I stood it for a minute or two, but, finding the situation intolerably embarrassing, I rose, and brusquely excusing myself, went up to the laboratory to look for Polton and inquire at what time Thorndyke was expected home.

To my surprise, however, on entering, I discovered Thorndyke himself just finishing the mounting of a microscopical specimen.
"Did you know that there is some one below waiting to see you ?" I asked.
"Is it anyone you know ?" he inquired.
"No," I answered.

"It is a red-nosed, sniggering fool in spectacles.

He has got a lease or a deed or some other sort of document which he has been using to play a sort of idiotic game of Peep-Bo! I couldn't stand him, so I came up here." Thorndyke laughed heartily at my description of his client.
"What are you laughing at ?" I asked sourly; at which he laughed yet more heartily and added to the aggravation by wiping his eyes.
"Our friend seems to have put you out," he remarked.
"He put me out literally.

If I had stayed much longer I should have punched his head." "In that case," said Thorndyke, "I am glad you didn't stay.