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14 him off if he murdered your wife and family, of which I think he is fully capable. I will tell you what you are, Ubertus. I don't mince matters or bite you on your back. You are a fool, an ass—you're as soft as butter; you haven't got the hardness of a flea. If you want to get on in the world, you must be as hard as iron, as cruel as a bear, and as selfish as a pig. Now, after that, off with you to bed. Take this physic with you; drink it when you lie down; it will make you dream pleasantly.'

As he spoke he mixed seven drops of a very dark fluid with water, and, putting the vessel containing it into my hand, wished me good-night.

'May I presume to ask you one question, Doctor, before I go?' said I deferentially.

'My dear boy,' he replied, 'at any other time I would give you leave to ask me a dozen, but I have an engagement to-night—I am going to see Helen.'

'To see Helen! Who is Helen, Doctor?' I asked in surprise.

'You do not know Helen,' he answered gravely. 'I will introduce you to her before you go hence. Your question quickly—one only.'

'Dear sir,' said I—'my dear benefactor, I hope you will not be offended. You know my name—Oliver Ubertus, of Tiger Gully, Tasmania, but you have not favoured me with yours, and I am very desirous of knowing it.'

'My name,' he replied, while a smile of subdued astonishment illuminated his handsome face—'my name, Ubertus? do you really do me the honour to ask after my name? Why, you will be inviting me to a small bottle-jack party soon, if I do not take care. My name is not to be found in your Tasmanian Directory, or whatever you call it. My name—I believe I have forgotten my name. Let me try to remember—Smith, Brown, Jones—no—Johnson, Tom,