It was but a few minutes (how long such minutes are!) before the doctor came--Doctor Willis, who had brought John into the world, and had been a lifelong friend of both father and son.

He went swiftly to the bed without speaking, and made a brief examination, while John watched him with fascinated eyes; and as the doctor finished, the son dropped on his knees by the bed, and buried his face in it.

The doctor crossed the room to Jeffrey, who was standing in the door with an awe-stricken face, and in a low voice gave him some directions.

Then, as the man departed, he first glanced at the kneeling figure and then looked searchingly about the room.

Presently he went over to the grate in which were the ashes of an extinct fire, and, taking the poker, pressed down among them and covered over a three or four ounce vial.