"Doctor," said Richling, "I'm afraid Mr. Reisen is"--Their eyes met. "Insane," said the Doctor. "Yes." "Does his wife know whether he has ever had such symptoms before--in his life?" "She says he hasn't." "I suppose you know his pecuniary condition perfectly; has he money?" "Plenty." "He'll not consent to go away anywhere, I suppose, will he?" "Not an inch." "There's but one sensible and proper course, Richling; he must be taken at once, by force if necessary, to a first-class insane hospital." "Why, Doctor, why? Can't we treat him better at home?" The Doctor gave his head its well-known swing of impatience. "If you want to be _criminally_ in error try that!" "I don't want to be in error at all," retorted Richling. "Then don't lose twelve hours that you can save, but send him off as soon as process of court will let you." "Will you come at once and see him?" asked Richling, rising up. "Yes, I'll be there nearly as soon as you will. Stop; you had better ride with me; I have something special to say." As the carriage started off, the Doctor leaned back in its cushions, folded his arms, and took a long, meditative breath. Richling glanced at him and said:-- "We're both thinking of the same person." "Yes," replied the Doctor; "and the same day, too, I suppose: the first day I ever saw her; the only other time that we ever got into this carriage together. Hmm! hmm! With what a fearful speed time flies!" "Sometimes," said the yearning husband, and apologized by a laugh. The Doctor grunted, looked out of the carriage window, and, suddenly turning, asked:-- "Do you know that Reisen instructed his wife about six months ago, in the event of his death or disability, to place all her interests in your hands, and to be guided by your advice in everything?" "Oh!" exclaimed Richling, "he can't do that! He should have asked my consent." "I suppose he knew he wouldn't get it. He's a cunning simpleton." "But, Doctor, if you knew this"--Richling ceased. "Six months ago. Why didn't I tell you?" said the physician. "I thought I would, Richling, though Reisen bade me not, when he told me; I made no promise. But time, that you think goes slow, was too fast for me." "I shall refuse to serve," said Richling, soliloquizing aloud. "Don't you see, Doctor, the delicacy of the position?" "Yes, I do; but you don't. Don't you see it would be just as delicate a matter for you to refuse?" Richling pondered, and presently said, quite slowly:-- "It will look like coming down out of the tree to catch the apples as they fall," he said. "Why," he added with impatience, "it lays me wide open to suspicion and slander." "Does it?" asked the Doctor, heartlessly. "There's nothing remarkable in that. Did any one ever occupy a responsible position without those conditions?" "But, you know, I have made some unscrupulous enemies by defending Reisen's interests." "Um-hmm; what did you defend them for?"