"Now sleep! Sleep deeply!"

The Doctor pressed Leon's eyes with his thumbs, and when he released
them the lids remained closed.

"You cannot open your eyes!"

"No! I cannot open my eyes!"

"Now you cannot speak!"

There was no reply. Dr. Medjora wrapped the sleeper in the robe and
carried him upstairs, and back to his own room again. He placed him in
his bed, and covered him carefully, as a mother would her babe.
Stooping over him he placed his lips close to Leon's ear and said:

"Can you hear me? If so, raise your arm," a feeble elevation of the
arm was made in response. "Good, you hear! Remember! Awaken in ten
minutes! Awaken from a dream! Then sleep again!"

The sleeper stirred slightly, and breathed a long sigh. Dr. Medjora
leaned over him, and imprinted a kiss upon his forehead. Then he left
the apartment, closing the door cautiously behind him, and sought his
own room.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE FAITHFUL DOG.

On the following morning, when Leon entered the laboratory, he found
Dr. Medjora busily engaged upon a chemical analysis. He, therefore,
without interrupting him, went to his own table, and took up his
morning's task. Half an hour passed in silence, and then the Doctor
spoke:

"Good-morning, Leon," said he. "I hope that the late hour at which you
retired last night did not interfere with your rest?"

"On the contrary, Doctor," said Leon, "I slept very soundly; so
soundly that I did not awaken as early as usual this morning. Yet I am
puzzled by one thing."

"And that is----?"

"A dream. I have a distinct recollection of a dream, and yet I am sure
that I slept soundly until the very moment of my awakening. I have
always thought that dreams come only when one dozes, or is half awake.
Do you think that one might sleep soundly, and nevertheless dream?"

"It is a question much disputed. If you have done so, however, you
have proven the possibility. Tell me your dream."

Thus adroitly did the Doctor avoid committing himself by a statement
which would have lead to an argument, Leon's controversial instinct
being a prominent characteristic.

"The dream was singular," replied Leon, "not so much because of what I
dreamed, but rather because of the impression made upon my mind. As a
rule, what one dreams is recalled as a dimly defined vision, but in
this instance, I can see the temple of AEsculapius as clearly as though
I had really visited the place."

"Then in your dream you imagined that yo