As he was in the act of getting into the cab, suddenly he fell backwards and was picked up panting for breath, and carried into the dining-room.

By this time we had reached the house, of which the door was opened as we approached it by Mrs.Selby herself, who seemed in great distress.
"Don't talk now, but take me to your husband," I said, and was led into the dining-room, where the unfortunate man lay groaning on the sofa.
"Glad you've come," he gasped.

"I believe that fool, Bell, has done for me." Asking those present in the room, a brother and a grown-up son of the patient, to stand back, I made a rapid examination; then I wrote a prescription and sent it round to the chemist--it contained ammonia, I remember--and ordered hot fomentations to be placed upon the leg.

While these matters were being attended to I went with the relations into another room.
"What is the matter with him, doctor ?" asked Mrs.Selby.
"It is, I think, a case of what is called blood-clot, which has formed in the veins of the leg," I answered.

"Part of this clot has been detached by exertion, or possibly by rubbing, and, travelling upwards, has become impacted in one of the pulmonary arteries." "Is it serious ?" asked the poor wife.
"Of course we must hope for the best," I said; "but it is my duty to tell you that I do not myself think Major Selby will recover; how long he will last depends upon the size of the clot which has got into the artery." "Oh, this is ridiculous," broke in Mr.Selby.