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CHAPTER LXIX . “ If thou hast heard a word , let it die with thee . ” — Ecclesiasticus . Mr . Bulstrode was still seated in his manager’s room at the Bank , about three o’clock of the same day on which he had received Lydgate there , when the clerk entered to say that his horse was waiting , and also that Mr . Garth was outside and begged to speak with him . “ By all means , ” said Bulstrode ; and Caleb entered . “ Pray sit down , Mr . Garth , ” continued the banker , in his suavest tone . “ I am glad that you arrived just in time to find me here . I know you count your minutes . ” “ Oh , ” said Caleb , gently , with a slow swing of his head on one side , as he seated himself and laid his hat on the floor . He looked at the ground , leaning forward and letting his long fingers droop between his legs , while each finger moved in succession , as if it were sharing some thought which filled his large quiet brow . Mr . Bulstrode , like every one else who knew Caleb , was used to his slowness in beginning to speak on any topic which he felt to be important , and rather expected that he was about to recur to the buying of some houses in Blindman’s Court , for the sake of pulling them down , as a sacrifice of property which would be well repaid by the influx of air and light on that spot . It was by propositions of this kind that Caleb was sometimes troublesome to his employers ; but he had usually found Bulstrode ready to meet him in projects of improvement , and they had got on well together . When he spoke again , however , it was to say , in rather a subdued voice — “ I have just come away from Stone Court , Mr . Bulstrode . ” “ You found nothing wrong there , I hope , ” said the banker ; “ I was there myself yesterday . Abel has done well with the lambs this year . ” “ Why , yes , ” said Caleb , looking up gravely , “ there is something wrong — a stranger , who is very ill , I think . He wants a doctor , and I came to tell you of that . His name is Raffles . ” He saw the shock of his words passing through Bulstrode’s frame . On this subject the banker had thought that his fears were too constantly on the watch to be taken by surprise ; but he had been mistaken . “ Poor wretch ! ” he said in a compassionate tone , though his lips trembled a little . “ Do you know how he came there ? ” “ I took him myself , ” said Caleb , quietly — “ took him up in my gig . He had got down from the coach , and was walking a little beyond the turning from the toll - house , and I overtook him . He remembered seeing me with you once before , at Stone Court , and he asked me to take him on . I saw he was ill : it seemed to me the right thing to do , to carry him under shelter . And now I think you should lose no time in getting advice for him . ” Caleb took up his hat from the floor as he ended , and rose slowly from his seat .
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