I had to telegraph yesterday, or they would not have been here." We went into the room, taking the flowers with us.

The Professor's actions were certainly odd and not to be found in any pharmacopeia that I ever heard of.

First he fastened up the windows and latched them securely.

Next, taking a handful of the flowers, he rubbed them all over the sashes, as though to ensure that every whiff of air that might get in would be laden with the garlic smell.

Then with the wisp he rubbed all over the jamb of the door, above, below, and at each side, and round the fireplace in the same way.