e to pay his fare back to
Scotland.'

Both men laughed.

'But you have your own ideas?' said Merton.

'I had thought of 15,000_l_. and leaving England. He is a
multimillionaire, the marquis.'

'It is rather a pull,' said Merton. 'Now speaking as a professional man,
and on honour, how _is_ his lordship?' Merton asked.

'Speaking as a professional man, he _may_ live a year; he cannot live
eighteen months, I stake my reputation on that.'

Merton mused.

'I'll tell you what we can do,' he said. 'We can guarantee the interest,
at a fancy rate, say five per cent, during the marquis's life, which you
reckon as good for a year and a half, at most. The lump sum we can pay
on his decease.'

The doctor mused in his turn.

'I don't like it. He may alter his will, and then--where do I come in?'

'Of course that is an objection,' said Merton. 'But where do you come in
if you refuse? Logan, I can assure you (I have read up the Scots law
since I came to town), is the heir if the marquis dies intestate. Suppose
that I do not leave this house in a few minutes, Logan won't bargain with
you; we settled _that_; and really you will have taken a great deal of
trouble to your own considerable risk. You see the usual document, my
statement, is lodged with a friend.'

'There is certainly a good deal in what you say,' remarked the doctor.

'Then, to take a more cheerful view,' said Merton, 'I have medical
authority for stating that any will made now, or later, by the marquis,
would probably be upset, on the ground of mental unsoundness, you know.
So Logan would succeed, in spite of a later will.'

The doctor smiled. 'That point I grant. Well, one must chance
something. I accept your proposals. You will give me a written
agreement, signed by Mr. Logan, for the arrangement.'

'Yes, I have power to act.'

'Then, Mr. Merton, why in the world did you not let your friend walk in
Burlington Arcade, and see the lady? He would have been met with the
same terms, and could have proposed the same modifications.'

'Well, Dr. Melville, first, I was afraid that he might accidentally
discover the real state of the case, as I surmised that it existed--that
might have led to family inconveniences, you know.'

'Yes,' the doctor admitted, 'I have felt that. My poor daughter, a good
girl, sir! It wrung my heartstrings, I assure you.'

'I have the warmest sympathy with you,' said Merton, going on. 'Well, in
the second place, I w