sorts are not uncommon, and generally
curable. Why do you ask?"

"Because I want you to treat such a case."

The doctor considered his patient narrowly. "Of course, you understand,
Mr. Brooks, that my professional charges are very high."

Duvall took out his pocketbook and removing from it a note for a hundred
francs, laid it carelessly on the table. "I have understood so, Doctor,"
he remarked. "Luckily I am a man of considerable wealth."

"In that event," Hartmann remarked, eying the bill in a gratified way,
"I am at your service. What is the nature of your complaint?"

"It isn't about myself that I have come," Duvall hastened to inform him.
"It concerns a man in my employ--my valet, to be exact."

"Your valet?" The doctor frowned, and made as though to rise. "My dear
sir--"

"One moment, please, Doctor. The man is a most worthy fellow. He has
been in my service for years. A Belgian, too, I think. I have a very
high regard for him--an excellent servant, except for the peculiar
delusions with which he has lately become possessed."

"I fear that I cannot undertake his treatment, Mr. Brooks. I receive
only a few patients, and those of the highest standing."

"I know that. I did not propose to have the man quartered here in your
house. I merely want you to examine him, in order that I may find out
whether his case is curable or not. If it is, I shall take him to Paris
and place him under treatment--if not, I must, of course, discharge him.
It is for that reason that I have come to you."

"What are the man's symptoms?" asked the doctor, shortly.

"He imagines, from time to time, that he has been robbed."

"That is by no means uncommon. I have seen many such cases. Are these
delusions confined to any one subject?"

"No. At times he fancies that money has been taken from him. At other
times, jewelry that he has never possessed. Once he accused me of
robbing him of a pair of shoes, and demanded that I pay him a large sum
of money for them. I have generally succeeded in quieting him by
assuring him that the stolen articles would be forthcoming later on."

"Excellent. And how long has this condition been in evidence?"

"About a month, now. During the past week, however, the attacks have
been more frequent. Last night he informed me that someone had taken
from him a diamond ring--of course he had never owned one--and wanted
five thousand francs in return. I assured him that I would get him the
money this morning