its new virtue."

"Do you deny what the editor of the 'Standard' said about Certina?"

Dr. Surtaine employed the stock answer of medical quackery when
challenged on incontrovertible facts. "Why, my friend," he said with
elaborate carelessness, "if I tried to deny everything that
irresponsible parties say about me, I wouldn't have any time left for
business. Well, well; plenty of other people will be glad of that two
thousand. Turn in the check at the cashier's window, please. Good-day
to you."

The Reverend Norman Hale retired, leaving the "Clarion's" denunciation
lying outspread on the table.

Meantime, wandering in the hallway, Hal had encountered Milly Neal.

"Are you very busy, Miss Neal?" he asked.

"Not more than usual," she answered, regarding him with bright and
kindly eyes. "Did you want me?"

"Yes. I want to know some things about this business."

"Outside of my own department, I don't know much."

"Well; inside your own department, then. May I ask some questions?"

With a businesslike air she consulted a tiny watch, then glanced toward
a settee at the end of the hall. "I'll give you ten minutes," she
announced. "Suppose we sit down over there."

"Do the writers of those letters--symp-letters, I believe, you call
them--" he began; "do they seem to get benefit out of the advice
returned?"

"What advice? To take Certina? Why, yes. Most of 'em come back for
more."

"You think it good medicine for all that long list of troubles?"

The girl's eyes opened wide. "Of course it's a good medicine!" she
cried. "Do you think the Chief would make any other kind?"

"No; certainly not," he hastened to disclaim. "But it seems like a wide
range of diseases to be cured by one and the same prescription."

"Oh, we've got other proprietaries, too," she assured him with her
pretty air of partnership. "There's the Stomachine, and the headache
powders and the Relief Pills and the liniment; Dr. Surtaine runs 'em
all, and every one's a winner. Not that I keep much track of 'em. We
only handle the Certina correspondence in our room. I know what that
can do. Why, I take Certina myself when there's anything the matter with
me."

"Do you?" said Hal, much interested. "Well, you're certainly a living
testimonial to its efficacy."

"All the people in the shop take it. It's a good tonic, even when you're
all right."

The listener felt his vague uneasiness soothed. If those who were
actually in the business had faith