g to change my whole
life. Whom do you think I had a letter from last Tuesday week? From
Cullingworth, no less. It had no beginning, no end, was addressed
all wrong, and written with a very thick quill pen upon the back of a
prescription. How it ever reached me is a wonder. This is what he had to
say:--

"Started here in Bradfield last June. Colossal success. My example must
revolutionise medical practice. Rapidly making fortune. Have invention
which is worth millions. Unless our Admiralty take it up shall make
Brazil the leading naval power. Come down by next train on receiving
this. Have plenty for you to do."

That was the whole of this extraordinary letter; it had no name to it,
which was certainly reasonable enough, since no one else could have
written it. Knowing Cullingworth as well as I did, I took it with
reservations and deductions. How could he have made so rapid and
complete a success in a town in which he must have been a complete
stranger? It was incredible. And yet there must be some truth in it, or
he would not invite me to come down and test it. On the whole, I thought
that I had better move very cautiously in the matter; for I was happy
and snug where I was, and kept on putting a little by, which I hoped
would form a nucleus to start me in practice. It is only a few pounds
up to date, but in a year or so it might mount to something. I wrote
to Cullingworth, therefore, thanking him for having remembered me, and
explaining how matters stood.

I had had great difficulty in finding an opening, I said, and now that I
had one I was loth to give it up save for a permanency.

Ten days passed, during which Cullingworth was silent. Then came a huge
telegram.

"Your letter to hand. Why not call me a liar at once? I tell you that I
have seen thirty thousand patients in the last year. My actual takings
have been over four thousand pounds. All patients come to me. Would not
cross the street to see Queen Victoria. You can have all visiting, all
surgery, all midwifery. Make what you like of it. Will guarantee three
hundred pounds the first year."

Well, this began to look more like business--especially that last
sentence. I took it to Horton, and asked his advice. His opinion was
that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. So it ended by my
wiring back accepting the partnership--if it is a partnership--and
to-morrow morning I am off to Bradfield with great hopes and a small
portmanteau. I know how inter