s desk regarding the pile of manuscript which
Quincy had read to him.

Leopold looked up with a peculiar expression on his face.

"What's the matter," asked Quincy, "changing your mind?"

"No," said Leopold, "I never do that, it would spoil my value as a
reader if I did. My decisions are as fixed as the laws of the Medes and
Persians, and are regarded by literary aspirants as being quite as
severe as the statutes of Draco; but the fact is, Quincy, you and your
_protege_--you see I consider you equally culpable--have neglected to
put any real name or pseudonym to these interesting stories. Of course I
can affix the name of the most popular author that the world has ever
known,--Mr. Anonymous,--but you two probably have some pet name that you
wish immortalized."

"By George!" cried Quincy, "we did forget that. I will talk it over with
her, and send you the _nom de plume_ by mail.

"Very well," said Leopold, rising. "And now let us go and have some
breakfast."

"My dear fellow, you must excuse me. I have not seen my parents this
trip, and I ought to go up to the house and take breakfast with the
family."

"All right," said Leopold, "rush that pseudonym right along, so I can
send the manuscripts to Cooper. And don't forget to drop in and see me
next time you come to the city."

On his way to Beacon Street Quincy suddenly stopped and regarded a sign
that read, Paul Culver, M.D., physician and surgeon. He knew Culver, but
hadn't seen him for eight years. They were in the Latin School together
under _pater_ Gardner. He rang the bell and was shown into Dr. Culver's
office, and in a few minutes his old schoolmate entered. Paul Culver was
a tall, broad-chested, heavily-built young man, with frank blue eyes,
and hair of the color that is sometimes irreverently called, or rather
the wearers of it are called, towheads.

They had a pleasant talk over old school days and college experiences,
which were not identical, for Paul had graduated from Yale College at
his father's desire, instead of from Harvard. Then Quincy broached what
was upper-most in his mind and which had been the real reason for his
call. He stated briefly the facts concerning Alice's case, and asked
Paul's advice.

Dr. Culver salt for a few moments apparently in deep study.

"My advice," said he, "is to see Tillotson. He has an office in the
Hotel Pelham, up by the Public Library, you know."

"Is he a 'regular'?" asked Quincy.

"Well," said Culver, "