d a few words with him after the examination and
was struck myself with the strangeness of his tone. Won't you see him?"

"I think that any talk is bad for him," the doctor said. "I have put
a strong dose of opium in this tea, and I hope it will send him off to
sleep. When he recovers I will see him."

"I think, doctor," the constable said significantly, "it would be a good
thing if you were to see him at once. You see, if things go against him,
and between ourselves the case is a very ugly one, if you could get in
the box and say that you saw him here, and that, in your opinion, his
mind was shaken, and that as likely as not he had not been responsible
for his actions from the time he left his mother's house, it might save
his life."

"That is a capital idea," Dr. Green said, "and Porson's evidence would
back mine. Yes, I will go in and see him even if my visit does do him
harm."

"I will move him into his new quarters first," the officer said; "then
if he drinks the tea he may, if he feels sleepy, throw himself on the
bed and go off. He will be quiet and undisturbed there."

Two or three minutes later the doctor was shown into a comfortable room.
A fire was burning brightly, and the tea was placed on a little tray
with a new roll and a pat of butter.

Ned's mood had somewhat changed. He received the doctor with a
boisterous laugh.

"How are you, doctor? Here I am, you see, monarch of all I survey. This
is the first time you have visited me in a room which I could consider
entirely my own. Not a bad place either."

"I hope you will not be here long, Ned," Dr. Green said, humoring him.
"We shall all do our best to get you out as soon as we can."

"I don't think your trying will be of much use, doctor; but what's the
odds as long as you are happy!"

"That's right, my boy, nothing like looking at matters cheerfully. You
know, lad, how warmly all your old friends are with you. Would you like
me to bring Charlie next time I come?"

"No, no, doctor," Ned said almost with a cry. "No. I have thought it
over, and Charlie must not see me. It will do him harm and I shall
break down. I shall have to see him at the trial--of course he must be
there--that will be bad enough."

"Very well," the doctor said quietly, "just as you like, Ned. I shall be
seeing you every day, and will give him news of you. I am going to see
him now."

"Tell him I am well and comfortable and jolly," Ned said recklessly.

"I will tell him