ic man. He lay silent a while with an undisturbed expression.

"I wonder if you would write a telegram and a letter for me?" he asked
at length.

"With pleasure, if you don't think you have talked enough. Can't you
wait until to-morrow?"

"I'll feel easier when I've got it off my mind."

The doctor thought this likely. He made a sign of acquiescence and
took out his notebook; and Herbert give him the rubber company's London
address and then dictated:

"_Regret I am incapacitated for business for indefinite period by motor
accident. If advisable appoint new director in my place before
shareholders' meeting, which cannot attend. Compelled to remain in
strict quietness_."

"You might send these people a short note," he added, "stating that I'm
submitting to your advice, and giving them a few particulars about my
injuries."

"I'll be glad to do so."

"Then there's only another thing. I'd like some notice of the accident
put into a leading London paper--it will explain my retirement to
people who would soon begin to wonder why I wasn't at my post."

"It shall be attended to; but I scarcely think Mr. Phillips and his
motoring friend will appreciate the notoriety you will confer on them."

Herbert smiled.

"There's no reason why I should consider Phillips. If he will drive
furiously in the dark and run over people--this isn't his first
accident--he must take the consequences. But you can tell him, with my
compliments, that I'll let him off, if he'll be more cautious in
future. Now I feel that I'd like to rest or go to sleep again."

The doctor went out somewhat puzzled--his patient seemed singularly
resigned to inaction and glad to escape from commercial affairs,
instead of chafing at his misfortune. After exchanging a few words
with Mrs. Lansing, he met Sylvia in the hall.

"How is he this morning?" she asked.

"Better than I expected, able to take an interest in things. I was
glad to find him so acquiescent--it isn't usual. He didn't seem
disturbed when he asked me to write a telegram expressing his
willingness to give up his director's post."

He had not mentioned this matter to Mrs. Lansing. In several ways
Sylvia struck him as being the more capable woman, though this was not
the impression her appearance had upon the less practised observers.
She looked thoughtful at his news.

"I suppose such a course is necessary," she remarked.

"I believe it's advisable; that is, if there's any