cal
big-wigs. You sent for me, then, to give you my opinion. Here it is
straight. It is the right thing to do, and before you start, I'll write
down my idea of the proper course of treatment, and I guarantee that
either of the fashionable physicians will prescribe the same remedies."

"Then," said Sir John eagerly, "you think you can see what is the matter
with him?"

"Think? I'm sure, sir."

"I am glad of it, for I had decided not to take him up to a physician."

"Thank you, father," said Jack, giving him a grateful look. "There
really is no need."

"Because," continued Sir John firmly, "I thought the matter over,"--and
he talked at his son--"and I said to myself that it is impossible that a
London doctor can in a visit or two understand the case half so well as
the medical man who has known and attended him from a child."

"Thank you, Meadows," said the doctor warmly. "I thank you for your
confidence. I do not want to boast of my knowledge, but, as I said
before, I am perfectly sure of what is the matter with Jack here."

"Yes? What is it?--or no, I ought not to ask you that," said the
father, with a hasty glance at his son.

"Oh yes, you ought. Why not? In this case it is quite right that he
should know. I am going to convince him that he is in a very bad way."

"You think so?" cried Sir John, leaning forward anxiously.

"Yes, sir, a very bad way, though the conceited young rascal is laughing
in his sleeve and mentally calling me a pretender."

"Indeed, no, Doctor Instow," cried Jack indignantly.

"What? Why you are saying to yourself all the time that you know better
than I."

"I only felt that I was right and you were wrong, doctor," said the lad
frankly.

"Same thing, my boy," cried the doctor, smiling. "Not the first time
two people have been of different opinions, and we shan't quarrel, Jack.
Know one another too well."

"Yes, yes," said Sir John impatiently. "But you said you thought he was
in a bad way."

"I said I was sure."

"Yes, yes; then what is to be done? We must get him out of the bad
way."

"The right treatment to a T," said the doctor.

"Then be frank, Instow," said Sir John; "what is the matter?"

Page missing, to be inserted when found.

Page missing, to be inserted when found.

fight again, but it has been fostered too much. Dad here, in his pride
of your attainments, has allowed you to go too far. He has thought it
was a natural weakness and tendency