h is the cause of
the malady. I have inoculated the lower animals with it, and I have
seen results which satisfy me that my deductions are correct. This
cannot be absolutely known, however, until my Sanatoxine is tried on
human beings. That important step in the advancement of science has
just been made. If I become insane, my theory will have ample proof.
For the future, Leon must complete my work. Among my papers he will
find my views and formulas. It is inevitable that he will solve the
riddle."

"But you sacrifice yourself, merely to test an experiment? You
introduce into your own system a preparation abstracted from such a
horrible source! It is fearful to think about!"

"Let me see," said the Doctor, consulting his watch. "Ten minutes have
passed, and there is scarcely a rise of temperature. Singular!" He
mused over the problem for a moment, and a shade of anxiety passed
across his features, as he murmured, "What if I have made a mistake?
No! No! It is impossible! Utterly impossible!" Reassured he turned
again to Mr. Barnes:

"I mentioned awhile ago that I should need your assistance. You have
said that I make a sacrifice. From the ordinary standpoint that is
true, though not from my own. Suicide would have brought me death, an
experience for which I yearn, with a longing based upon scientific
curiosity, which perhaps you cannot comprehend. But I am equally
desirous of knowing by personal experience what it means to be insane.
Death will come to me in time, therefore I need not interfere, but
insanity might never have been my lot, had I not pursued the course
which I have followed. To-morrow you will be obliged to explain what
you have witnessed, and the favor I ask is this. Do not render my
self-sacrifice useless, by relating to others those horrible
suspicions, the consequences of which I am so desirous of escaping. Be
as merciful as the law, and keep silent that the innocent may not
suffer. May I count upon you to do this?"

"Dr. Medjora, I cannot yet believe that you will succeed in this
horrible experiment; but if you do, of course I would not harm others
by arousing useless suspicions. If you escape from the law, you need
have no fear of what I should do."

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart." Again he consulted his
watch. "Twenty minutes gone, and still no alteration. What if I should
fail? No! No! Failure is impossible! Mr. Barnes, another matter. My
son is my natural heir, but I do not wish h