al
look in the speaker's face.

"I presume," he added, "you mean by your question that it might be
dangerous to give me a certain drug. Under the circumstances, however,
I fail to see any relevancy in your question."

This took the surgeon aback; but he hastened to explain that he did not
wish to inflict unnecessary pain, and hence his question.

He placed the glass on a stand, approached his visitor, and carefully
examined his pulse.

"Wonderful!" he exclaimed.

"Why?"

"It is perfectly normal."

"Because I am wholly resigned. Indeed, it has been long since I knew
such happiness. It is not active, but infinitely sweet."

"You have no lingering desire to retract?"

"None whatever."

The surgeon went to the stand and returned with the draught.

"Take this," he said, kindly.

The young man partially raised himself and took the glass in his hand.
He did not show the vibration of a single nerve. He drank the liquid,
draining the last drop. Then he returned the glass with a smile.

"Thank you," he said; "you are the noblest man that lives. May you
always prosper and be happy! You are my benefactor, my liberator. Bless
you, bless you! You reach down from your seat with the gods and lift me
up into glorious peace and rest. I love you--I love you with all my
heart!"

These words, spoken earnestly, in a musical, low voice, and accompanied
with a smile of ineffable tenderness, pierced the old man's heart. A
suppressed convulsion swept over him; intense anguish wrung his vitals;
perspiration trickled down his face. The young man continued to smile.

"Ah, it does me good!" said he.

The surgeon, with a strong effort to control himself, sat down upon the
edge of the lounge and took his visitor's wrist, counting the pulse.

"How long will it take?" the young man asked.

"Ten minutes. Two have passed." The voice was hoarse.

"Ah, only eight minutes more!... Delicious, delicious! I feel it
coming.... What was that?... Ah, I understand. Music.... Beautiful!...
Coming, coming.... Is that--that--water?... Trickling? Dripping?
Doctor!"

"Well?"

"Thank you,... thank you.... Noble man,... my saviour,... my bene ...
bene ... factor.... Trickling,... trickling.... Dripping, dripping....
Doctor!"

"Well?"

"Doctor!"

"Past hearing," muttered the surgeon.

"Doctor!"

"And blind."

Response was made by a firm grasp of the hand.

"Doctor!"

"And numb."

"Doctor!"

The old man watched and waited.

"D