ouldn't happen to be flush of money just now, that
needn't hinder you five minutes. He'll be your banker, and make it
right with the Board.'

Dick lay still for half a dozen seconds, as though the words took
that time in reaching him. Then he let out a short laugh from
somewhere high on his nose.

'My banker? Will he? Good Lord!'

'May be,' said the doctor, dryly; laying out a suit of mufti at the
foot of the bed, 'the Old Man and I belong to the same date.
I've heard that youngsters save money nowadays. But when I was your
age that sort of offer would have hit the mark nine times out of
ten.'

He delivered this as a parting shot. Dick, lying on his back and
staring up at a knot in the woodwork over his bunk, received it
placidly. Probably he did not hear. His brow was corrugated in a
frown, as though he were working out a sum or puzzling over some
problem. The doctor closed the door softly, and some minutes later
paid a visit to Mr Markham, whom he found stretched on the couch of
the white-and-gold deck-cabin, attired in a gray flannel
sleeping-suit, and wrapped around the legs with a travelling rug of
dubious hue.

'That's a good deal better,' he said cheerfully, after an
examination, in which, while seeming to be occupied with pulses and
temperature, he paid particular attention to the pupils of Mr
Markham's eyes. 'We are nosing up the Solent fast--did you know it?
Ten minutes ought to see us in Southampton Water; and I suppose
you'll be wanting to catch the first train.'

'I wonder,' said Mr Markham vaguely, 'if the Old Man will mind.'

The doctor stared for a moment. 'I think we may risk it,' he said,
after a pause; 'though I confess that, last night, I was doubtful.
Of course, if you're going to be met, it's right enough.'

'Why should I be met?'

'Well, you see--I couldn't know, could I? Anyway, you ought to see
your own doctor as soon as you get home. Perhaps, if you gave me his
name, I might scribble a note to him, just to say what has happened.
Even big-wigs, you know, don't resent being helped with a little
information.'

Mr Markham stared. 'Lord!' said he, 'you're talking as if I kept a
tame doctor! Why, man, I've never been sick nor sorry since I went
to school.'

'That's not hard to believe. I've ausculted you--sound as a bell,
you are: constitution strong as a horse's. Still, a shock is a
shock. You've a family doctor, I expect--some one you ring up
when your liver goes w