The Sign of Flame

"But, Doctor, for heaven's sake tell us what this is all about." "The whole town is talking of it already, and still we have heard no particulars!" "Surely it is impossible, Doctor, it cannot be true!" He, to whom all these questions and exclamations were addressed, rapped his stick with an air of impatient vexation against the pavement, and replied in a rather dry, concise tone--