I have had some awkward traveling adventures in my time; but _that_ adventure--! Well, never mind, suppose we begin the sitting.

I make but a bad return for your kindness in giving me the sketch by thus wasting your time in mere talk." "Come! come!" thought I, as he went back to the sitter's chair, "I shall see your natural expression on your face if I can only get you to talk about that adventure." It was easy enough to lead him in the right direction.

At the first hint from me, he returned to the subject of the house in the back street.

Without, I hope, showing any undue curiosity, I contrived to let him see that I felt a deep interest in everything he now said.

After two or three preliminary hesitations, he at last, to my great joy, fairly started on the narrative of his adventure.