a month. By that time he
could be practically certain whether or not the serum had "gripped" the
disease, and would at last conquer it. If "success" were the verdict,
Sir Beverley would instruct another doctor how to continue the
hypodermics and other treatment, and observe results.

"Selfishly, I should have liked to put the patient into a nursing home
at Exeter," he said, "where I could stay at home and visit him once a
day. But I didn't feel that would be giving the man his best chance.
He's in love with his wife, and in love with his house. I wouldn't
separate him from either."

This was splendid of Sir Beverley, and splendid for Murray--except for
one possibility which I foresaw. What if Rosemary or Murray himself
should suggest Paul Jennings as the doctor understudy? I was afraid that
this might happen, both because Jennings lived so near the Manor, and
because of the friendship which Rosemary had oddly struck up with the
French wife.

I dared not prejudice Sir Beverley against Murray's distant cousin, for
I'd _heard_ nothing to Paul's disadvantage--rather the contrary. He was
said to be a smart doctor, up to date in his methods, and "sure to get
on." Still, I thought of the changed portraits, and tried to put the
microbe of an idea into Sir Beverley's head. I told him that, if it
hadn't been for Ralston Murray, Jennings would without much doubt have
inherited the Manor, with a large sum of money.

The specialist's quick brain caught what was in mine as if I'd tossed it
to him, like a ball. "I suppose, if Murray died now, Jennings could hope
for nothing," he said, "except perhaps a small legacy. Murray will have
made a will in his wife's favour?"

"Yes," I replied, "or he made a will when he was engaged to her, and has
added a codicil since. But it's unusual in some ways, and might be
disputed."

Sir Beverley smiled. "Well, don't worry," he reassured me. "I have my
own candidate to take over the job when I leave the Manor. I wouldn't
trust a stranger, no matter how good a doctor he might be. So that's
that."

It was! I felt satisfied; and also more than satisfied with Rosemary. I
went to see her the day before the transfusion experiment, and found her
radiant in a strange, spiritual way. It seemed to me more like
exaltation than any earthly sort of happiness; and her words proved that
my feeling about it was right.

"Whether Ralston lives or dies, I shall always be so thankful that I
could do this thing