Although the same spectacle had met his eyes on an average twice every day that term, and was about the commonest "show" in Willoughby, the sight of the faithful pair at this particular time when the revelations of Bosher's diary were tingling in his ears impressed the captain.

Indeed, it impressed him so much that, at the imminent risk of being late for the doctor's tea, he pulled up to speak to them.
Parson, as became a loyal Parrett, made as though he would pass on, but Telson held him back.
"I say, you two," said Riddell, "will you come to breakfast with me to- morrow morning after chapel ?" And without so much as waiting for a reply, he bolted off, leaving his two would-be guests a trifle concerned as to his sanity.
The clock was beginning to strike as Riddell knocked at the doctor's door, and began at length to realise what he was in for.
He did not know whether to be thankful or not that Bloomfield and Fairbairn would be there to share his misery.

They would be but two extra witnesses to his sufferings, and their tribulations were hardly likely to relieve his.
However, there was one comfort.

He might have a chance before the evening was over of telling Bloomfield that he now had every reason to believe his suspicions about the culprit had been wrong.
How thankful he was he had held out against the temptation to name poor Wyndham two days ago! "Well, Riddell, how are you ?" said the doctor, in his usual genial fashion.

"I think you have met these ladies before.