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224 that could have been adopted. I agree entirely with everything he has done, and we can only now hope for a speedy recovery."

I glanced at the sick man's wife, but she instantly averted her gaze.

The Captain was quite re-assured, and Heston Forsyth, having pocketed his fee, drove away.

The inevitable occurred rather sooner than I expected, for I was called up on the 'phone at one o'clock one morning, and before I could get round, Mr. Auberon had passed to that land that lies beyond the human ken.

So next day I signed the death-certificate, and two days later his remains were followed by his sorrowing widow and son and a number of friends to their last resting-place in Woking Cemetery.

In a month, my dear Brown, I had forgotten all about the affair. I possess a faculty for forgetfulness that is often very convenient. Cocaine and soda have washed many a nasty taste from my mouth.

Late one night, about eight or nine weeks afterwards, I was reading the evening paper before going to bed when a patient was shown into my consulting-room.

It proved to be Mrs. Auberon. She looked