I can, if you will
follow orders. I shall try hypnosis. It's the only thing we know, yet,
that really has much effect. But some wonderful cures have been made
with it. Come back tonight. My evening office hour is from eight to
nine. Come about nine o'clock, so that I can take you the last one
and have plenty of time for experiment. And there's another thing,
Felix,--ah!" He stopped suddenly, as a little spasm of pain crossed
his face, and pressed his hand against his heart. "It's nothing," he
went on deprecatingly, at the other's look of inquiry. "This little
organ in here," and he patted his breast, "reminds me of its
existence, once in a while, lately. I'm ordered to take a rest, and I
suppose I'll have to before long."

"You're not going away?" Brand queried anxiously. "You won't go till
after you've fixed me up?"

"I can't go for some time--unless I have to. And don't mention it to
Mildred or Mrs. Annister. Now, about that other thing. I must insist,
Felix, that you release Mildred from this engagement between you. I
have let it go on against my own judgment too long already, because I
was hoping that time would lessen her infatuation. But in the light of
all that you have just told me it is impossible--it must not continue
another day. You ought to see yourself how unfair it would be to her."

"But suppose," said Brand, with the suggestion of a sneer in his
voice, "that Mildred should not wish to be released?"

The doctor pressed his lips together and his gray eyes flashed. His
pale face looked very weary. "Her wishes can make no difference now,"
he replied decisively. "Write to her and say that you wish to end the
engagement. Make any excuse that you like. But you must not see her
again. That is final, Felix. Good-bye. I'll see you tonight."

CHAPTER XXI

HUGH GORDON TELLS HIS STORY

Dr. Annister dismissed his last patient and looked at his watch. It
was nine o'clock and Felix Brand, he thought, was probably in the
waiting room. His face was even paler than usual and its deep lines
told of pain, anxiety and spent strength. He sat down, his head upon
his hand and his thoughts upon his daughter.

"Poor child!" he said to himself. "It will go hard with her. But there
can be no 'ifs' or 'ands' about it now. Her mother must take her away
where there will be no possibility of her seeing him again. Poor
little girl!"

He rose with a weary sigh and crossed to the door into the waiting
room. As he thre