germ,
which has put up his temperature and destroyed the power of natural
sleep. This condition of brain has enabled him to work practically night
and day at his manuscript, and I have no doubt he has written brilliant
stuff, which an enchanted world will read by-and-by, with no notion of
the price which has been paid for their pleasure and edification. But
meanwhile, unless proper steps are taken to avert disaster, our friend
Ronnie will be, by then, unable to understand or to enjoy his triumph."

Aubrey's lean face flushed. "I hope you are taking an exaggerated view,"
he said.

"I hope you understand," retorted Dr. Dick, "that I am doing nothing of
the kind. I cannot tell you precisely what course the illness will run;
the nuisance of these African jungle poisons is that we know precious
little about them. But I have known Ronnie since he and I were at school
together, and any poison goes straight to his brain. If he gets
influenza, he never sneezes and snuffles like an ordinary mortal, but
walks about, more or less light-headed, all day; and lies dry awake,
staring at the ceiling all night."

"What do you recommend in this case?"

"Ah, there we arrive at my reason for coming to you. _I_ don't know
Ronnie's wife. I conclude _you_ do."

"She is my first cousin. I have known her intimately all her life."

"Can you write to her to-night, and mail the letter so that it will
reach her before he arrives home?"

"I have every intention of doing so."

Dick Cameron sat forward, eagerly.

"Good! It will come better from you than from a total stranger. No
doubt I am known to her by name; but we have never chanced to meet.
Without alarming her too much, I want you to make Ronnie's condition
quite clear to her. Tell her he must be kept absolutely quiet and happy
on his return; and, with as little delay as may be, she must have the
best advice procurable."

"Whom would you recommend?"

"To be quite honest, I am afraid a brain specialist. But I will give you
the name of a man who has also made a special study of the conditions
caused by malarial fever, and exposure to tropical heat."

Dick produced a note-book, wrote down a name and address, tore out the
leaf, and handed it to Aubrey.

"There! You can't do better than that. Of course it is everything that
you are taking him right home. But, even so, let your letter get there
first. You might have difficulty in seeing Mrs. West alone, and mischief
might be done in a