."

"What! had he got the toothache?" said Archie.

"Yes--one of those awfully bad ones; and twice over he clapped his hand
to his waist and uncovered the handle of his kris as if he meant to use
it. It quite startled me."

"Now, Henry, pray do not exaggerate so. I do wish you wouldn't be so
fond of ornamenting your anecdotes."

"Well, really, my dear, if I didn't touch up a story a little bit, young
Maine here wouldn't be able to grasp it."

"Was he in such pain, then, sir," said Archie, "that he wanted you to
think he would kill himself?"

"Yes, my lad; and being such a fierce-looking fellow, he made me feel
quite nervous, for twice over he looked as if he was going to use a kris
on me, and I began to look round my bottles for something to use in
self-defence."

"Chloroform, I suppose," said Mrs Morley sarcastically.

"No, my dear; something much stronger than that."

"That's a new improvement, Henry," said Mrs Morley.

"There, she won't let me tell you, Archie. You ask me, and I will tell
you the story some day when we are alone."

"Oh no, Doctor; you have raised my curiosity, and I want to hear it
now."

"Oh, pray go on," said Mrs Morley.

"Well, don't interrupt me, then."

Minnie and Archie exchanged laughing glances, and the Doctor went on:

"Well, I got him down in a chair, and as he lay back he opened his mouth
and displayed a tremendous set of the biggest and whitest teeth I ever
saw."

"Ahem!" coughed Minnie, with a merry look at Archie.

"Fine, healthy-looking man he was, but he had the regular savage Malay
look in his eyes; but I gained courage directly I saw what was the
matter. There was one great double tooth which was evidently the cause
of all the trouble, and I knew at once that he would have no peace till
it was drawn. There was a position for a medical man! And I could not
help feeling that I was quite at his mercy. I went to a drawer and took
out an instrument, and as I approached him he glared at me more savagely
than ever, and laid his right hand once more upon the ugly, pistol-like
hilt of his kris. Now, sir, what would you have done under the
circumstances?"

"Bolted," said Archie laconically.

"I don't believe you," said Minnie.

"What! and left two defenceless women at his mercy, sir? That won't do;
will it, Mary, my dear?"

"Well, then," said Archie, "I should have called in old Sergeant Ripsy
and a couple more men to hold him. Or why didn't you give him