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 'Stinking Spring,' particularly, I believe to possess undoubted curative properties."

"I sincerely trust they may, but to me that spot is the most obnoxious on the globe and the poor unfortunate who laved in that water would be a martyr indeed."

"All of us are more or less," replied the doctor abruptly, "but time is passing, shall I see the patient now?"

Reuben's quick ear caught the question and almost instantly his black form appeared in the doorway, and without more ceremony Dr. Herschel was escorted to Hernando's room. On the way upstairs he touched Reuben on the shoulder with, "Have you excluded all but yourself?"

"Yes, sah."

"Why?"

By this time, they had entered the room and closed the door.

"Kase, Massa, it mout be ketchin'."

"Have you ever before seen a case like this?"

"Not exac'ly, sah."