le the money on my
child before I leave home."

"How large a sum do you propose to insure for?" asked the doctor.

"I have given the particulars to the clerk downstairs. I should like
to insure for ten thousand pounds."

"Well, I daresay that can be managed. You are an excellent client, and
quite a young man. Now just let me sound your lungs, and listen to
your heart."

Ogilvie removed his necktie, unbuttoned his shirt, and placed himself
in the doctor's hands.

Dr. Rashleigh made his examination without comment, slowly and
carefully. At last it was over.

"Well?" said Ogilvie, just glancing at him. "It's all right, I
suppose."

"It is not the custom for a doctor at an insurance office to tell his
patient anything about the result of the examination," was Rashleigh's
answer. "You'll hear all in good time."

"But there really is no time to lose, and you are an old friend. You
look grave. If it cannot be done, of course it cannot, but I should
like to know."

"When do you propose to go to Australia?"

"I may not go at all. In fact if----" Ogilvie suddenly leaned against
the table. Once again he felt faint and giddy. "If this is all right,
I shall probably not go."

"But suppose it is not all right?"

"Then I sail on Saturday."

"I may as well tell you the truth," said Rashleigh; "you are a brave
man. My dear fellow, the office cannot insure you."

"What do you mean?"

"Heart," said Rashleigh.

"Heart! Mine? Not affected?"

"Yes."

"Seriously?"

"It is hard to answer that question. The heart is a strange organ, and
capable of a vast amount of resuscitation; nevertheless, in your case
the symptoms are grave; the aortic valve is affected. It behooves you
to be very careful."

"Does this mean that I----" Ogilvie dropped into a chair. "Rashleigh,"
he said suddenly, "I had a horrible attack last night. I forgot it
this morning when I came to you, but it was horrible while it lasted.
I thought myself, during those moments of torture, within a
measurable--a very measurable distance of the end."

"Describe your sensations," said Rashleigh.

Ogilvie did so.

"Now, my dear fellow, I have a word to say. This insurance cannot be
done. But, for yourself, you must avoid excitement. I should like to
prescribe a course of living for you. I have studied the heart
extensively."

"Will nothing put me straight? Cure me, I mean?"

"I fear not."

"Well, good-by, Rashleigh; I will call round to see you some