Oh dear...

‘Sigworth? Sigworth!’

Ponkle gently took hold of Sigworth’s bony shoulders and gave him an almighty shake. Sigworth let out an enormous nasal snore, nearly deafening his dear friend.

‘Sigworth!’ Ponkle repeated, this time a great deal louder and directly down Sigworth’s right ear.

He assessed the empty jars and tubes haphazardly positioned on Sigworth’s desk. In one swift move, he bundled them all into a dull wooden box, closed the lid and stuffed it into a hidden alcove in the rock. He then flung his companion over his back and hauled him up the rickety stairs.