ing him what was the
matter and why he appeared to be so frightened, but all the answer they
could get was, 'Don't touch me. I am going to die! I'm going to die!'

"And say, what do you think? He _did_ die! He got weaker and weaker. His
teeth were clenched, and he refused to take whiskey, although the boys
forced some down his throat. In a little while he became insensible, and
in less than an hour he was dead.

"'Scared to death,' you say? Well, maybe so; anyway, the boys said the
laugh was on Baker!"

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT.

When Dr. Watson entered I saw by his manner that he had something of
more than usual interest to communicate. Watson has a trick of winding
and unwinding his watch chain around his finger whenever he has some
case in which he is particularly interested. As a rule, his work in the
asylum keeps him busy the greater part of the day, and the little time
he has to spare is given to cases in which he is called in consultation
or by special appointment.

Therefore, knowing how busy he was, I felt certain that something out of
the ordinary had called him from his regular duties at this time of day,
and I was interested to learn what it was.

Watson is nothing if not direct, and rarely wastes words. On this
occasion he certainly lived up to his reputation, for he began talking
before he was fairly in the room.

"My dear Morris," he said, "I have called to talk with you of a most
interesting case, which has lately come under my observation. It is one
in which I need your help, and I hope you will be able to spare the time
to assist me."

I nodded and waved him to a chair.

"The case in question is a most interesting one, in which hypnotic
suggestion may or may not be an important factor.

"You know young Blake, the son of the late Mathew Blake, and you are
aware that he has been rather extravagant in his habits and ways of
living, and although not exactly a spendthrift, undoubtedly spends more
money than he ought to in many ways. The great trouble with him is his
passion for race-horses, and that is what, one of these days, is going
to break him financially, unless I am very much mistaken.

"Just now young Blake has two horses entered in the big race which comes
off day after to-morrow at Eaton Park. One of his horses, called
Emperor, is well known, and he should easily win the race. He is by far
the best horse of the lot, and has been selling in the pools for two to
one against the fi