imately turn out to be Frank's father in disguise; Lord
Talgarth still retains that distinction.) But it is plainly revealed by
Frank's diary that he was drawn to this elderly man by very much the
same kind of feelings as a son might have. And yet it is hardly possible
to conceive two characters with less in common. The doctor was a
dogmatic materialist--and remains so still--Frank was a Catholic. The
doctor was scientific to his finger-tips--Frank romantic to the same
extremities; the doctor was old and a confirmed stay-at-home--Frank was
young, and an incorrigible gipsy. Yet so the matter was. I have certain
ideas of my own, but there is no use in stating them, beyond saying
perhaps that each recognized in the other--sub-consciously only, since
each professed himself utterly unable to sympathize in the smallest
degree with the views of the other--a certain fixity of devotion that
was the driving-force in each life. Certainly, on the surface, there are
not two theories less unlike than the one which finds the solution of
all things in Toxin, and the other which finds it in God. But perhaps
there is a reconciliation somewhere.

* * * * *

The Major and Gertie were waiting in the stable-yard when the two other
men emerged. The Major had a large bag of apples--given him by Thomas at
the doctor's orders--which he was proceeding to add to Gertie's load at
the very moment when the two others came out. Frank took them, without a
word, and slung them over his own back.

The doctor stood blinking a moment in the strong sunshine.

"Well, good-by, my boy," he said. "Good luck! Remember that if ever you
come this way again--"

"Good-by, sir," said Frank.

He held out his disengaged hand.

Then an astonishing thing happened. The doctor took the hand, then
dropped it; threw his arms round the boy's neck, kissed him on both
cheeks, and hurried back through the garden gate, slamming it behind
him. And I imagine he ran upstairs at once to see how the mice were.

* * * * *

Well, that is the whole of the incident. The two haven't met since, that
I am aware. And I scarcely know why I have included it in this book. But
I was able to put it together from various witnesses, documentary and
personal, and it seemed a pity to leave it out.

CHAPTER IV

(I)

An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged
silently with the Major, towards eve