to think he is at all homicidal; still, you
will see that he naturally requires most careful watching. It is possible
that you may hesitate to leave your practice (which I trust prospers); but
as the responsibility is considerable, the fee will be proportionately
generous--L500, and all expenses paid."

("Five hundred quid!" exclaimed Welsh.)

"I would suggest a trip on the Continent. The duration and the places to
be visited will be entirely at your discretion. It is of course hardly
necessary to say that you will seek quiet localities. Trusting to hear
from you at your very earliest convenience, believe me, yours sincerely,

TIMOTHY WATSON."

Welsh looked at his friend with the respect that prosperity naturally
excites. He smiled on him as an equal, and cried, heartily,
"Congratulations again! When do you start?"

Twiddel fidgeted uncomfortably, "I--er--well, you see--ah--I haven't _quite_
made up my mind yet."

"What's the matter?"

"Hang it, Welsh--er--the fact is I don't altogether like the job."

Scruples of any kind always surprised Welsh.

"Can't afford to leave the practice?" he asked with a laugh.

"That's--ah--partly the reason," replied Twiddel, uncomfortably.

"Rot, old man! There's a girl in the case. Out with it!"

"No, it isn't that. You see it's the very devil of a responsibility."

At this confession of weakness he looked guiltily at his heroic friend.
From the bottom of his heart he wished he had screwed up his courage in
private. Welsh had so little imagination.

"By Gad," exclaimed Welsh, "I'd manage a nunnery for L500!"

"I daresay you would, but a suicidal, and possibly homicidal, lunatic
isn't a nunnery."

Welsh looked at his friend with diminished respect.

"Then you are going to chuck up L500 and a free trip on the Continent?" he
said.

"Dr Watson himself admits the responsibility."

"With a--what is it?--agreeable young man?"

"Only when in possession of his proper faculties," said the doctor,
dismally.

"And an amiable disposition?"

"With suicidal tendencies, hang it!"

"I should have thought," said Welsh, with a laugh, "that they would only
matter to himself."

"But he is homicidal too--or at least it's doubtful. I want to know a
little more about that, thank you!"

"What is the man's name?"

"Mandell-Essington."

"Sounds aristocratic. He might come in useful afterwards, when he's
cured."

Welsh