rd, it would be murder to think of it--a man in a brain fever,
in a delirium, to be taken over jolting roads--dear me! It is not to be
thought of!"

Mr. Booley smiled benignly, for the first time since the squire had made
his acquaintance.

"You seem to forget, Mr. Juxon, that my time is very valuable," he
observed.

"Yes--no doubt--but the man's life, Mr. Booley, is valuable too."

"Hardly, I should say," returned the detective coolly. "But since you are
so very pressing, I will ask to see the man at once. I can soon tell you
whether he will die on the road or not. I have had considerable
experience in that line."

"You shall see him, as soon as the doctor comes," replied the squire,
shocked at the man's indifference and hardness.

"It certainly cannot hurt him to see me, if he is still unconscious or
raving," objected Mr. Booley.

"He might have a lucid moment just when you are there--the fright would
very likely kill him."

"That would decide the question of moving him," answered Booley, taking
his glasses from his nose, laying down the paper and rising to his feet.
"There is clearly some reason why you object to my seeing him now. I
would not like to insist, Mr. Juxon, but you must please remember that it
may be my duty to do so."

The squire was beginning to be angry; even his calm temper was not proof
against the annoyance caused by Mr. Booley's appearance at the Hall, but
he wisely controlled himself and resorted to other means of persuasion.

"There is a reason, Mr. Booley; indeed there are several very good
reasons. One of them is that it might be fatal to frighten the man;
another is that at this moment his wife is by his bedside. She has
entirely made up her mind that when he is recovered he must return to
prison, but at present it would be most unkind to let her know that you
are in the house. The shock to her nerves would be terrible."

"Oh," said Mr. Booley, "if there is a lady in the case we must make some
allowances, I presume. Only, put yourself in my place, Mr. Juxon, put
yourself in my place."

The squire doubted whether he would be willing to exchange his
personality for that of Mr. Booley.

"Well--what then?" he said. "I think I would try to be merciful."

"Yes; but suppose that in being merciful, you just allowed that lady the
time necessary to present her beloved husband with a convenient little
pill, just to shorten his sufferings? And suppose that--"

"Really, Mr. Booley, I th