simply a blowing out, as of a candle in the
wind; a puff--then darkness, without a trace. A sense of your own
safety may suggest the method. I leave it to you."

"No delivery to your friends?"

"None whatever."

Another pause.

"Did you say you are quite ready?" asked the surgeon.

"Quite ready."

"And perfectly willing?"

"Anxious."

"Then wait a moment."

With this request the old surgeon rose to his feet and stretched
himself. Then with the stealthiness of a cat he opened the door and
peered into the hall, listening intently. There was no sound. He softly
closed the door and locked it. Then he closed the window-blinds and
locked them. This done, he opened a door leading into an adjoining
room, which, though it had no window, was lighted by means of a small
skylight. The young man watched closely. A strange change had come over
him. While his determination had not one whit lessened, a look of great
relief came into his face, displacing the haggard, despairing look of a
half-hour before. Melancholic then, he was ecstatic now.

The opening of the second door disclosed a curious sight. In the centre
of the room, directly under the skylight, was an operating-table, such
as is used by demonstrators of anatomy. A glass case against the wall
held surgical instruments of every kind. Hanging in another case were
human skeletons of various sizes. In sealed jars, arranged on shelves,
were monstrosities of divers kinds preserved in alcohol. There were
also, among innumerable other articles scattered about the room, a
manikin, a stuffed cat, a desiccated human heart, plaster casts of
various parts of the body, numerous charts, and a large assortment of
drugs and chemicals. There was also a lounge, which could be opened to
form a couch. The surgeon opened it and moved the operating-table
aside, giving its place to the lounge.

"Come in," he called to his visitor.

The young man obeyed without the least hesitation.

"Take off your coat."

He complied.

"Lie down on that lounge."

In a moment the young man was stretched at full length, eyeing the
surgeon. The latter undoubtedly was suffering under great excitement,
but he did not waver; his movements were sure and quick. Selecting a
bottle containing a liquid, he carefully measured out a certain
quantity. While doing this he asked:

"Have you ever had any irregularity of the heart?"

"No."

The answer was prompt, but it was immediately followed by a quizzic