thankful to
observe that your apprehensions are so acute. I warn you that I am going
to make some very curious conditions. I do not know whether money is an
object to you. If not, I am powerless. If it is, I propose to make it
worth your while."

The doctor did not hesitate.

"Money," he said, "is the greatest object in life to me. I have none,
and I want some very badly."

The Prince smiled.

"I find your candor delightful," he declared. "Now tell me, Dr. Whiles,
how many patients have you in your neighborhood absolutely dependent
upon your services?"

The doctor hesitated, opened his mouth and closed it again.

"Not one!" he declared.

Once more the Prince's lips parted. His smile this time was definite,
transfiguring.

"I find you, Dr. Whiles," he announced, "a most charmingly reasonable
person. I make you my offer, then, with every confidence, although I
warn you that there will be some strange conditions attached to it. I
ask you to accept the post of private physician to this household for
the space of one--it may be two months, and I offer you also, as an
honorarium, the fee of one thousand guineas."

The doctor sat quite still for a moment. He was in a condition when
speech was difficult. Then his eyes fell upon his tumbler of whiskey and
soda still half filled. He emptied it at a draught.

"A thousand guineas!" he repeated hoarsely.

"I trust that you will find the sum attractive," the Prince said
smoothly, "because, as I have warned you before, there are one or two
curious conditions coupled with the post."

"I don't care what the conditions are," the doctor said slowly. "I
accept!"

The Prince nodded.

"You are the man I thought you were, doctor," he said. "The first
condition, then, is this. You see the sitting room we are now in--a
pleasant little apartment, I think,--books, you see, papers, a smoking
cabinet in which I can assure you that you will find the finest Havana
cigars and the best cigarettes to be procured in London. Through
here"--the Prince threw open an inner door--"is a small sleeping
apartment. It has, as you see, the same outlook. It is comfortable if
not luxurious."

The doctor sighed.

"I am not used to luxury," he said.

"These two rooms will be yours," the Prince announced, "and the first
condition of our arrangement is that until two months are up, or our
engagement is finished, you do not leave them."

The doctor stared at him blankly.

"Are you in earnest,