he could not intrust to them. Every
day, though, he looked into the varicolored eyes of Clara and willed to
sleep; and every day the operation grew less and less painful to him.

Vast and complex was the system of notes built up by the professor and
the judge. They told him all about his various properties and holdings
of stock; they listed the clubs and social organizations to which he
belonged, and the offices he held in each. They made a directory of
names mentioned by him in his abnormal state, and compiled facts about
each person. It must have been very much like the copious information
that we think we have about historical characters--elaborate, and the
best thing possible in the absence of the real facts; but only the
reflection of these people in the mind of some one else, after all.
Finally the judge brought the whole to his friend, neatly typewritten,
paragraphs numbered, facts tabulated, and all provided with a splendid
index and system of elaborate cross-references.

[Illustration: Vast and complete was the system of notes built up by the
professor and the judge]

"You see, my boy," said Judge Blodgett, "all any one really needs to know
of his surroundings is actually very little. Otherwise, most people
never could get along at all. Neander couldn't find his way to
market--the greatest philosopher of his time. Now these notes tell you
more--actually more--of your Bellevale life, than some folks ever find
out about themselves--with a little filling in, on the spot, you know,
why, they'll do first rate. For instance, under 'S' we have a man named
Stevens, 'Old Stevens' you playfully call him. I figure him out to be an
elderly man in some position of authority--he seems to sort of govern
things, even you. The professor thinks he's your banker, but his
intellectual domination leads me to the conclusion that he's your lawyer.
There is a Miss Strong, evidently an important person. I venture the
assertion that she's a literary woman, as you speak about asking her to
'look at her notes.' I shouldn't wonder if she's a rival of Miss
Waldron's, eh, Professor?"

"Well," said Amidon impatiently, "who else?"

"Oh, lots of 'em," answered the judge. "Here's 'A' for instance, and
under it a man named Alvord--a close friend of yours----"

"The one this telegram is from," said Amidon. "And I suppose this one in
cipher is from Stevens, the lawyer or banker. It must be important."

"I shouldn't wonder," s