"My brother has been under the care of Sir John Bell, the ablest doctor in Dunchester, who told him several times that he was suffering from nothing but rheumatism, and now this gentleman starts a totally different theory, which, if it were true, would prove Sir John to be a most careless and incompetent person." "I am very sorry," I answered; "I can only hope that Sir John is right and I am wrong.

So that there may be no subsequent doubt as to what I have said, with your leave I will write down my diagnosis and give it to you." When this was done I returned to the patient, and Mr.Selby, taking my diagnosis, telegraphed the substance of it to Sir John Bell for his opinion.

In due course the answer arrived from Sir John, regretting that there was no train by which he could reach Dunchester that night, giving the name of another doctor who was to be called in, and adding, incautiously enough, "Dr.Therne's diagnosis is purely theoretical and such as might be expected from an inexperienced man." Meanwhile the unfortunate Major was dying.

He remained conscious to the last, and, in spite of everything that I could do, suffered great pain.
Amongst other things he gave an order that a _post-mortem_ examination should be made to ascertain the cause of his death.
When Mr.Selby had read the telegram from Sir John he handed it to me, saying, "It is only fair that you should see this." I read it, and, having asked for and obtained a copy, awaited the arrival of the other doctor before taking my departure.

When at length he came Major Selby was dead.
Two days later the _post-mortem_ was held.