e call it whim? Now, I will not put myself in the
attitude of denying the true humanity of your theory. I daresay it has
been discussed by physicians for ages. It was my aim to convince your
grandfather that all the money in the world cannot bring about the result
you desire. I argued from the legal point of view. There are the insurance
companies to consider. They will put obstacles in the way of--"

"Pardon me, Judge Hollenback," interrupted Braden steadily. "I do not
advocate an illegal act. We need not discuss my theories, however. The
absurdity of the clause in my grandfather's will is as clear to me as it
is to you. The conditions cannot be carried out. I shall refuse to accept
this trusteeship."

Judge Hollenback stared. "But, my dear friend, you must accept. What is to
become of the--er--money if you refuse to act? You can't possibly refuse.
There is no other provision for the disposition of the estate. He has put
it squarely up to you. There is no other solution. You may be sure, sir,
that I do not care what you do with the money, and I fancy no one else
will undertake to define your--"

"Just the same, sir, I cannot and will not accept," said Braden, finality
in his tone. "I cannot tell you how shocked, how utterly overwhelmed I am
by--"

Simmy interrupted him. "I'd suggest, old fellow, that you take Mr.
Thorpe's letter to your rooms and read it. Take time to think it all out
for yourself. Don't go off half-cocked like this."

"You at least owe it to yourself and to your grandfather--" began Judge
Hollenback soothingly, but was cut short by Braden, who arose and turned
to the door. There he stopped and faced them.

"I'm sorry, Judge Hollenback, but I must ask you to consider the matter
closed. I shall leave you and Mr. Dodge to find a satisfactory solution.
In the first place, I am a practising physician and surgeon. I prefer to
regulate my own life and my life's work. I need not explain to you just
how deeply I am interested in the saving of human life. That comes first
with me. My theories, as you call them, come second. I cannot undertake
the promotion of these theories as a salaried advocate. This is the only
stupid and impractical thing that my grandfather ever did, I believe. He
must have known that the terms of the will could not be carried out. Mr.
Dodge is right. It was his way of leaving the property to me after
declaring that he would not do so, after adding the codicil annulling the
bequest i