ct concerning _le Docteur_, your expert has failed to
discover, is that at some time the man has made a study of
medicine. This is only a theory of mine, not a discovery;
but when I tell you what he did, I think that you both will
agree with me. A few days ago the _doctor_ walked down to
the village one morning, and coolly presented himself at the
door of Doctor G----'s office.

Doctor G---- is the least popular and least skillful of the
three physicians here, but of course the city man was not
supposed to know that. He, the city doctor, informed Doctor
G---- that although his employer had not desired it, as he
had perfect confidence in the present treatment of Mr.
A----, still it was always his practice to consult with
another physician.

So he desired Doctor G---- to accompany him to O---- and see
his patient; not that he had any doubts about the disease,
but because, in case of a serious termination, it was always
a consolation to the friends to know that every precaution
had been taken. Doctor G---- came, to find the patient in a
bedrugged stupor. He endorsed everything _le Docteur_ chose
to say, and went away feeling much puffed-up because of
having been called in to consult with a New York physician.

You see they are moving very carefully, and do not intend to
have any doubts raised.

Miss A---- of course remains in the village, and receives
reports daily concerning her brother, and her Knight is
still at her elbow.

Henry has been here for a week, and does not dream of my
identity.

Hagar and myself, between us, have managed to get possession
of a specimen of every drug that has been administered to
Mr. A----, also of the harmless nostrums that are dealt out
to madame for appearance's sake.

There is but one thing more that I must accomplish, and that
must be done to-night, if possible. If I succeed in this,
two days more will see me _en route_ for the city. If I
fail--then I must remain here, if I can, and try again. In
any case, I must make my new move within the week. So look
out for the chrysalis; it remains for you to develop it into
the butterfly.

This letter chanced to arrive during one of Doctor Vaughan's afternoon
visits, and Olive read it aloud to him, saying at the end, and almost
without taking