"I suffer from heart attacks, and the crossing has altogether upset me.

If you could remain with my niece while our luggage is examined, and send her afterwards to the Milan Hotel, you would do a real favor to a sick man.

I could myself take a hansom there without waiting for a moment, and get to bed.

Nothing else will do me any good." I glanced across at the girl.

She was watching her uncle with distressed face.
"If you will allow me," I said, "it will give me very great pleasure to look after you.