t they were as indifferent to one another,
after nearly a year's acquaintance, as they had been at first.

Dr. Emanuel Medjora, however, was not a man to be thwarted, and he had
long decided upon a course of action, whereby he might further his
design, if the current of ordinary events did not turn the tide in his
favor. Finally he decided to act, and in furtherance of his purpose he
invited Judge Dudley to spend an evening with him.

"Come promptly at eight o'clock," his note had said, "and be prepared
to remain as long as I may require. The business is of great moment to
us both, and to those whom we love."

In response to such a summons, the Judge reached Villa Medjora just as
the clock chimed the appointed hour. He was conducted into the
Doctor's study, which opened into the laboratory. When his guest was
announced, Dr. Medjora rose at once to greet him. When the two men
were seated comfortably, the Doctor opened the conversation at once.

"Judge Dudley," said he, "I have, as you know, a young man with me, in
whom I have taken the deepest interest,--Leon Grath, my assistant and
pupil. Let me tell you something of him."

"With pleasure," replied the Judge.

"You already know, that I look upon the knowledge which I possess as a
sacred trust, which I must utilize for the benefit of my fellows. I
have held that it is incumbent upon me to transmit this knowledge to
some one younger than myself, that he may be my successor. I searched
for years for such a lad. The exactions were great. He would need
extraordinary endowments. He should be superior to his fellows,
intellectually and physically. I decided that I had found such a man,
when I selected Leon."

"I hope you have not been disappointed?"

"On the contrary. He has exceeded my expectations, though my estimate
of his powers could not be far wrong, because I rarely make a
mistake." The egotism of these words did not appear to effect the
Judge. He was too well acquainted with Dr. Medjora, who continued:

"Leon has evinced such worthiness of the trust which I have reposed in
him, that I know he will not only be a capable successor to me, but he
will achieve that which I cannot hope to accomplish within the few
years which are left to me."

"Come, my friend," said the Judge, "you must not talk as though you
were nearing the end of life. You will be with us twenty years longer
at least."

"They will not be twenty years of usefulness, if I should." The Doctor