The disease you are suffering from is--overwork.

The remedy in your case is--rest." So the doctor spoke, in my chambers in the Temple (London); having been sent for to see me about half an hour after I had alarmed my clerk by fainting at my desk.

I have no wish to intrude myself needlessly on the reader's attention; but it may be necessary to add, in the way of explanation, that I am a "junior" barrister in good practice.

I come from the channel Island of Jersey.

The French spelling of my name (Lefranc) was Anglicized generations since--in the days when the letter "k" was still used in England at the end of words which now terminate in "c." We hold our heads high, nevertheless, as a Jersey family.