bars could really be
recommended. He chaffed, patronised, and cheered the doctor. Patients had
been scarce, had they? Well, after all, there were many consolations. Did
Twiddle say he was hard up? Welsh himself in an even more evil case. He
narrated various unfortunate transactions connected with the turf and
other pursuits, with regret, no doubt, and yet with a fine rakish defiance
of destiny. Twiddel's face cleared, and he began to show something of the
same gallant spirit. He brought out a tall bottle with a Celtic
superscription; Welsh half filled his glass, poured in some water from a
dusty decanter, and proposed the toast of "Luck to the two most deserving
sinners in London!"

The doctor was fired, he drew the same letter from his pocket, and cried,
"By Jove, Welsh, I'd almost forgotten to tell you of a lucky offer that
came this morning."

This was not strictly true, for as a matter of fact the doctor had only
hesitated to tell of this offer lest he should be shamed to a decision.
But Welsh was infectious.

"Congratulations, old man!" said his friend. "What's it all about?"

"Here's a letter from an old friend of my people's--Dr Watson, by name. He
has a very good country practice, and he offers me this job."

He handed the letter to Welsh, and then added, with a flutter of caution,
"I haven't made up my mind yet. There are drawbacks, as you'll see."

Welsh opened the letter and read:--

"DEAR TWIDDEL,--I am happy to tell you that I am at last able to put
something in your way. A gentleman in this neighbourhood, one of my most
esteemed patients, has lately suffered from a severe mental and physical
shock, followed by brain fever, and is still, I regret to say, in an
extremely unstable mental condition. I have strongly recommended quiet and
change of scene, and at my suggestion he is to be sent abroad under the
care of a medical attendant. I have now much pleasure in offering you the
post, if you would care to accept it. You will find your patient, Mr
Mandell-Essington, an extremely agreeable young man when in possession of
his proper faculties. He has large means and no near relatives; he comes
of one of the best families in the county; and though he has, I surmise,
sown his wild oats pretty freely, he was considered of unusual promise
previous to this unfortunate illness. He is of an amiable and pleasant
disposition, though at present, we fear, inclined to suicidal tendencies.
I have no particular reason