John Bell seen that?" I asked.

"Not he. I wanted him to look at it, but he was in a hurry, and said I
was just like an old woman with a sore on show, so I gave it up."

"Well, if I were you, I'd go home and insist upon his coming to look at
it."

"What do you mean, doctor?" he asked growing alarmed at my manner.

"Oh, it is a nasty place, that is all; and I think that when Sir John
has seen it, he will tell you to keep quiet for a few days."

Major Selby muttered something uncomplimentary about Sir John, and then
asked me if I would come home with him.

"I can't do that as a matter of medical etiquette, but I'll see you into
a cab. No, I don't think I should drink that whisky if I were you, you
want to keep yourself cool and quiet."

So Major Selby departed in his cab and I went home, and, having nothing
better to do, turned up my notes on various cases of venous thrombosis,
or blood-clot in the veins, which I had treated at one time or another.

While I was still reading them there came a violent ring at the bell,
followed by the appearance of a very agitated footman, who gasped out:--

"Please, sir, come to my master, Major Selby, he has been taken ill."

"I can't, my good man," I answered, "Sir John Bell is his doctor."

"I have been to Sir John's, sir, but he has gone away for two days to
attend a patient in the country, and the Major told me to come for you."

Then I hesitated no longer. As we hurried to the house, which was close
at hand, the footman told me that the Major on reaching home took a cup
of tea and sent for a cab to take him to Sir John Bell. As he was in the
act of getting into the cab, suddenly he fell backwards and was picked
up panting for breath, and carried into the dining-room. By this time we
had reached the house, of which the door was opened as we approached it
by Mrs. Selby herself, who seemed in great distress.

"Don't talk now, but take me to your husband," I said, and was led into
the dining-room, where the unfortunate man lay groaning on the sofa.

"Glad you've come," he gasped. "I believe that fool, Bell, has done for
me."

Asking those present in the room, a brother and a grown-up son of the
patient, to stand back, I made a rapid examination; then I wrote a
prescription and sent it round to the chemist--it contained ammonia, I
remember--and ordered hot fomentations to be placed upon the leg. While
these matters were being attended to I went with the relations into
ano