of blue foolscap containing a
great deal of printed matter. The particular portion of it to which Mr.
Walkingshaw's attention was directed ran thus--

"CERTIFICATE OF EMERGENCY

"(This certificate authorizes the detention of a Patient in an
Asylum for a period not exceeding three days, without any order by
the Sheriff.)

"I, the undersigned George William Downie, being M.D., Glasgow,
hereby certify on soul and conscience, that I have this day at 15,
Roray Place, in the County of Edinburgh, seen and personally
examined James Heriot Walkingshaw, and that the said person is of
unsound mind, and a proper Patient to be placed in an Asylum, and
is in a sufficiently good state of bodily health at this date to
be removed to the Asylum.

"And I hereby certify that the case of the said Person is one of
emergency."

It was then dated, and signed, "George W. Downie."

"Asylum--Dr. Downie!" gasped Heriot. "But--what _is_ this?"

"It says on the paper. Just look--can't you read?"

Heriot gave a convulsive start.

"Was--was _that_ Dr. Downie?"

His son nodded.

Again Heriot's startled eyes ran over the certificate, and then they
turned upon his son. It is regrettable that his next words were not more
worthy of his reputation.

"You d----d young skunk!"

"It's no use swearing," his son replied coldly.

Mr. Walkingshaw fell back in his chair and seemed to meditate.

"You wired to Glasgow for him?" he inquired in a moment.

"I did."

"So that I shouldn't recognize him, I suppose?"

"Naturally."

"What a sell if I'd spotted him and talked what the silly fool would
have thought sense!"

"You didn't," said Andrew.

Mr. Walkingshaw shook his head.

"Man, I'd never have given you credit for the brains to do the like of
this."

Then he started.

"I see it all now! It was Madge put you up to the idea! Eh? Oh, you
needn't trouble to deny it; I know you haven't the imagination
yourself."

With a calmer air he studied the paper afresh.

"It's only for three days," he observed in a cheerier tone.

"Do you actually imagine you're likely to get out at the end of three
days?"

Mr. Walkingshaw looked at his son steadily.

"You know perfectly well that every word I said was true."

Andrew remained coldly immovable.

"I am no judge myself. I'd sooner depend on Dr. Downie's opinion."

"Hypocrite to the last!" scoffed Heriot. "