or Mrs. Carroll, Tim, and Nora.

Meantime, in the back room of the Stopping-Place Dr. Burton was making
his preparations for a very critical operation. All his movements were
marked by a swift dexterity and an attention to detail that gave Shock
the impression that here was a man not only a master of his art, but,
for the time being at least, master of himself. He laid out and
thoroughly disinfected his instruments, prepared his lint, bandages,
sponges, and explained clearly to each of his two assistants the part
he was to take. Shock, who had had some slight experience in the
surgical operations attendant upon an active football career, was to be
the assistant in chief, being expected to take charge of the
instruments, and to take part, if necessary, in the actual operation.
Ike was instructed to be in readiness with a basin, sponge, and
anything else that might be demanded.

"We shall not give you much to do," said the doctor, "but what you have
to do must be done promptly and well. Now, then," he continued, lifting
his scissors with a flourish which did not fail to impress Carroll, who
was seated near by, "we shall proceed."

"Will it hurt, doctor?" groaned Carroll, gazing upon the row of
instruments with fascinated eyes.

"Before we are finished it is quite possible the patient may be
conscious of nervous disturbance, accompanied by sensations more or
less painful."

"Will it hurt, blank you!" replied Carroll, whose hoarse voice showed
the intensity of his repressed emotion.

"As I was saying," said the doctor in his calm, even tone, and
examining his instruments one by one with affectionate care, "there is
every possibility that the nerve centres may be--"

"Oh," groaned Carroll, still fascinated by the instruments that the
doctor was handling with such loving touches, "will someone shut up
this blank, blatherin' fool? He'd drive a man crazy, so he wud!"

"Mr. Carroll, we must be calm. We must be entirely calm," observed the
doctor. "Now," continuing his monologue, "we shall remove the hair from
the field of operation. Cleanliness in an operation of this kind is of
prime importance. Recent scientific investigations show that the chief
danger in operations is from septic poisoning. Yes, every precaution
must be taken. Then we shall bathe with this weak solution of
carbolic--three percent will be quite sufficient, quite sufficient--the
injured parts and the surrounding area, and then we shall examine the
ex