ng donkey!" Jacob scoffed. "He's put it across you
all right."

The young man suddenly turned his head. There was a contraction of his
left eyelid. He solemnly winked.

"I don't think!" he said. "Turn on the taps in the bathroom, old dear.
I'm going to have a soak."

"Do you mean to say that you're shamming?" Jacob exclaimed.

"How did you guess it! A hot bath and a small whisky and soda, and I
shall drop off to sleep in a twinkling. But, Jacob, my lord and
master," Felixstowe enjoined earnestly, as he commenced to throw off
his clothes, "don't you try it on with them. I thought some of the
lads from our own village could shift the stuff a bit when they were
up against it, but, believe me, we do no more than gargle our throats
over in London. When it comes to the real thing, they've got us beaten
to a frazzle. Tuck yourself into bed, old thing, and don't you worry
about me. What a house to stay in!" the young man concluded, with a
little burst of enthusiasm, as he pointed to the decanter of whisky,
the soda water, and the silver ice tray set out upon a small table.
"Jacob, when your brother rises from his bed of sickness, I shall
grasp his hand and salute him as the lord of hosts. Absolutely
clinking! Tophole!"

The young man disappeared into the bathroom, and Jacob, reassured but
a little bewildered, went back to bed. To all appearance, Felixstowe
was perfectly sober. Nevertheless, when breakfast was served the next
morning, Jacob found himself alone.

"Have you told Lord Felixstowe?" he enquired of the butler.

"His lordship went out some time ago, sir," the man replied, with a
faint smile. "He left word that he had gone to the chemist's."

Jacob, somewhat puzzled, finished his breakfast without comment. He
was halfway through a cigar afterwards when the butler reappeared.

"Mr. Morse's compliments, sir, and will you step down to the library
and see Doctor Bardolf?"

Jacob made his way to the very sumptuous room on the ground floor,
which his brother when at home had christened his business room. The
physician, who was waiting there, shook hands with him warmly. His
manner this morning seemed a little more friendly and a little less
professional. He had the air of a man for whom a period of some mental
strain has ended.

"Your brother will pull through, sir," he announced. "There is a
marked improvement this morning."

"I am delighted," Jacob said heartily.

"I think that by to-morrow or the next day