repay you for the time and trouble
that it will entail."

"Indeed you can. Knowledge is power, but the knowledge of one man has
its limitation, for the man will die. I have two things that I must
leave at death, money and knowledge. The former I may bequeath to whom
I please, and he will get it, unless others squabble over my will
until the lawyers spend the estate. With my knowledge it is different.
I must impart it to my successor during my life, or it will perish
with me. I have labored long and hard, and I have accumulated
knowledge of the rarest and most unusual kind. Knowledge which makes
me count myself the wisest physician in the world to-day. Knowledge
which I can transfer to you, if you will accept it as a sacred trust,
and use the power which it will confer upon you for the benefit of
your fellows. Have you the courage and the energy to accept my offer?
If so, do not hesitate, for I have been seeking for the proper man
during several years. If you be he, I ask no other reward for what my
task will be, than to see you worthy. Will you accept?"

"I will!"

Leon placed his hand in that of Doctor Medjora, and thus made a
compact with one, to whom were attributed powers as potent as Satan's.
Side by side, and deeply absorbed in earnest conversation, they
started to walk to the farm, to be present at the sale. Lossy,
although for the moment forgotten by his master, was on the alert and
jumped up to follow, as soon as they started away. For the dog is a
faithful friend, and the collie perhaps the most faithful of all dogs,
if indeed there be any choice in that respect between purest bred and
mongrel.

CHAPTER III.

SELLING A NEW ENGLAND FARM.

All the neighboring towns-people knew that the Grath farm was to be
sold on this day. The "bills" had been "out" for over two weeks. These
were announcements, printed in large letters, on bright-colored paper,
and hung up in barber-shops, grocery stores, post-offices and even
nailed on trees. One might be driving along an almost deserted road,
several miles from any habitation, and suddenly find himself
confronted by one of these yellow and black "auction bills," which
would notify him that upon the stated date a homestead would be "sold
out," in the next county.

Therefore it was not surprising that when Leon and the Doctor reached
the farm, several "teams" were already "hitched" along the stone wall
that surrounded the orchard.

The auction was advertised