They followed the old gentleman up to the attics and into a kind of tower, where was a small room with two tables spread, the one with a supper, the other with papers, charts, and mathematical instruments.
"Here," said their guide, "is bread, a cold chicken, and a bottle of whisky. I beg you to excuse me while you eat. The fact is, I dabble in astronomy. My telescope is on the roof above, and to-night every moment is precious."
There was a ladder fixed in the room, leading to a trap-door in the ceiling. Up this ladder the old gentleman trotted, and in half a minute had disappeared, shutting the trap behind him.
It was half an hour or more before Adam climbed after him, with Eve, as usual, at his heels.
"My dear madam!" cried the astronomer, "and in your state!"
"I told you a lie," Adam said. "I've come to beg your pardon. May we look at the stars before we go?"
In two minutes the old gentleman was pointing out the constellations—the Great Bear
