I took some books down to Isaacs' rooms and passed the evening there, unwilling to leave him to the care of an inquisitive servant, and five minutes before midnight I awoke him in the manner he had directed.

He seemed to be sleeping lightly, for he was awake in a moment, and his first action was to replace the vial in the curious safe.

He professed himself perfectly restored; and, indeed, on examining his bruise I found there was no swelling or inflammation.

The odour of the medicament, which, as he had said, seemed to be very volatile, had almost entirely disappeared.

He begged me to go to bed, saying that he would bathe and then do likewise, and I left him for the night; speculating on the nature of this secret and precious remedy.
* * * * *.