" Then for the first time noticing Dr.
Armitage, he addressed him courteously. "Good morning, Doctor, you are
on your feet again, are you? I congratulate you. Meantime Dr. Vincent
and myself have been doing your work here for you to the best of our
abilities."

In answer to which Dr. Armitage drew himself up with an air of extreme
hauteur, and said, addressing Mr. Hastings:

"The time has come, sir, for you to choose between this gentleman and
myself. If you desire any further service of him then I will consider
your name withdrawn from my list."

Dr. Arnold elevated his eyebrows, evidently astonished that even Dr.
Armitage should be guilty of so gross a violation of propriety, while
Dr. Vincent drew near and in rapid undertone related the cause of the
disturbance. Dr. Arnold at first frowned, and then as the story
progressed nodded approvingly.

"Quite right, quite right; he should not have touched the stimulus
under any circumstances whatever. Dr. Armitage, I am persuaded that even
you would have frowned on the idea had you watched this case through in
all its details."

Dr. Armitage did not so much as vouchsafe him a glance, but kept his
angry eyes still fixed on Mr. Hastings as he said:

"I repeat my statement. This matter must be decided at once. You have
but to choose between us."

Now this really placed Mr. Hastings in an extremely awkward dilemma. Dr.
Armitage was not only his family physician, but the two had had all
sorts of business dealings together of which only they two knew the
nature; but then, on the other hand, Mr. Hastings believed that Dr.
Arnold had saved the life of his son. He knew that life was in a very
feeble, dangerous state even now, and he actually feared that Dr.
Armitage occasionally drank brandy enough to bewilder his brain, and at
such times perhaps was hardly to be trusted, and yet he could not
dismiss him.

"Really," he stammered, "I--we--this is a very disagreeable matter. I
regret exceedingly--" And just here relief came to him from an
unexpected quarter. Pliny roused himself to speak with something of his
old spirit.

"You two gentlemen seem to ignore my existence or overlook it somewhat.
I believe I am the unfortunate individual who requires the service of a
physician. Dr. Armitage, I have no doubt that my father will continue to
look upon you as his guardian angel, physically speaking; but as for me,
I'm inclined to continue at present under charge of the pilot who has