moment, which you would be powerless to prevent. Tell
her, that above all else, she must avoid any sort of shock for him. A
violent emotion of any kind would probably send him clean off his head."

"I am sure you are right, there," said Aubrey. "He suddenly became
violent to-night, while we were talking about his 'cello; got up,
staggered across, and struck me on the mouth."

Dr. Dick's keen eyes were instantly bent upon Aubrey Treherne in
perplexed scrutiny.

Aubrey shifted uncomfortably in his seat; then rose and put fuel into
the stove.

Still Dick sat silent.

When Aubrey resumed his seat, Dick spoke--slowly, as if carefully
weighing every word.

"Now that is peculiar," he said. "Ronnie's mental condition is a
perfectly amiable one, unless anything was said or done to cause him
extreme provocation. In fact, he would not be easily provoked. He is
inclined rather to take a maudlinly affectionate and friendly view of
things and people; to be very simply, almost childishly, pleased with
the last new idea. That wretched Infant of his is a case in point. I
should be glad if you would tell me, sir, what happened in this room
just before Ronnie hit out."

"Merely a conversation about the 'cello," replied Aubrey, hurriedly. "A
perfectly simple remark of mine apparently annoyed him. But I soon
pacified him. He was obviously not responsible for his actions."

"He was obviously in a frenzy of rage," remarked Dr. Dick, drily; "and
he caught you a good one on the mouth. Did he apologise afterwards?"

"He fell asleep," said Aubrey, "and appeared on awaking to have
absolutely forgotten the occurrence."

Dick got up, put his hands in his pockets, walked over to the organ,
and, bending down, examined the stops. He whistled softly to himself as
he did so.

Aubrey, meanwhile, had the uncomfortable sensation that the whole scene
with Ronnie was being re-acted, with Dick Cameron as an interested
spectator.

It tried Aubrey's nerves.

"I do not wish to hurry you," he suggested presently. "But if I am to
post my letter to my cousin before midnight, the sooner I am able to
write it, the better."

Dick turned at once and took up his ulster.

Aubrey, relieved, came forward cordially to lend him a hand.

"No, thank you," said Dr. Dick. "A man should always get into his coat
unaided. In so doing, he uses certain muscles which are exercised in no
other way."

He swung himself into the heavy coat, and stood before Aubrey