consequence of the moderate use of
intoxicating drinks, we would find that it exceeded a hundred--nay, a
thousand--fold that of the losses sustained through drunkenness.
Against the latter society is all the while seeking to guard itself,
against the former it has little or no protection--does not, in fact,
comprehend the magnitude of its power for evil. But I have wearied you
with my talk, and forgotten for the time being the anxiety that lies so
near my heart. No, doctor, I will not trust the hand of Doctor Kline,
skillful as it may be, to do this work; for I cannot be sure that a
glass too much may not have been taken to steady the nerves a night's
excess of wine may have left unstrung."

Doctor Hillhouse sat with closely knit brows for some time after Mr.
Carlton ceased speaking.

"There is matter for grave consideration in what you have said," he
remarked, at length, "though I apprehend your fears in regard to Doctor
Kline are more conjectural than real."

"I hope so," returned Mr. Carlton, "but as a prudent man I will not
take needless risk in the face of danger. If an operation cannot be
avoided, I will trust that precious life to none but you."

CHAPTER XVII.

WE have seen how it was with Doctor Hillhouse on the morning of the day
fixed for the operation. The very danger that Mr. Carlton sought to
avert in his rejection of Doctor Kline was at his door. Not having
attended the party at Mr. and Mrs. Birtwell's, he did not know that
Doctor Hillhouse had, with most of the company, indulged freely in
wine. If a suspicion of the truth had come to him, he would have
refused to let the operation proceed. But like a passenger in some
swiftly-moving car who has faith in the clear head and steady hand of
the engineer, his confidence in Doctor Hillhouse gave him a feeling of
security.

But far from this condition of faith in himself was the eminent surgeon
in whom he was reposing his confidence. He had, alas! tarried too long
at the feast of wine and fat things dispensed by Mr. Birtwell, and in
his effort to restore the relaxed tension of his nerves by stimulation
had sent too sudden an impulse to his brain, and roused it to morbid
action. His coffee failed to soothe the unquiet nerves, his stomach
turned from the food on which he had depended for a restoration of the
equipoise which the night's excesses had destroyed. The dangerous
condition of Mrs. Ridley and his forced visit to that lady in the early
mor