“I feel rather delicate about giving you an affirmative answer to that question,” the physician replied, “if I am expected to have charge of the case. I might be severely criticised and accused of a desire to experiment for the benefit of my profession, if there should be a fatal result.” “Yes, perhaps; but, on the other hand, you would acquire fame if the boy was restored.” “Undoubtedly.” And the eminent physician’s eyes glowed with eagerness. “Well, the matter stands like this,” said Mr. Huntress, after another thoughtful pause. “I have done my best to find the lad’s friends, but there is evidently no one, at least in Brooklyn or New York who will claim him. I am unaccountably interested in him. I will not send him to an insane asylum. I cannot cast him forth again upon the street to wander about at the mercy of the rabble. I have resolved to care for him as I would wish a son of mine cared for under similar circumstances, and yet his presence, in this imbecile state, is a constant pain to me. What shall I do?” “If you intend to give him a father’s care, I see no reason why you should not exercise a parent’s judgment and authority in the matter of his possible restoration,” Dr. Scherz responded, thoughtfully. “Then will you take charge of the case and treat it as your judgment and skill dictate? The expense and risk shall all be mine, yours the reward and fame if a cure is effected.” Dr. Scherz did not reply to this request for several minutes. He appeared to be considering and reviewing the matter in all its points, and evidently regarded the undertaking as one of grave responsibility and importance. At length he looked up, and Mr. Huntress was more encouraged by the expression on his pale, thoughtful face, than he had yet been over anything that he had said about the case. He felt sure that the man would act conscientiously, and exert himself to the extent of his skill. “I think I will attempt it,” he said, slowly. “But before I do, I would like to consult with a friend in the profession, and get his opinion upon the undertaking. I will see you again in a few days; meantime, do your best to build up the boy’s strength with a nourishing diet.” With this, the two men separated. CHAPTER VI. THE DEVELOPMENTS OF SEVERAL YEARS. A full week passed before Mr. Huntress heard anything further from Dr. Scherz, and it was a week of anxiety and unrest for him. At the end of that time the physician went again to see the Huntress _protege_, taking a noted hospital surgeon with him. After another protracted and critical examination, the two gentlemen decided to undertake the operation together. The boy was removed to a hospital where diseases of the brain were treated, and there the delicate and hazardous operation was performed. The result proved that Dr. Scherz had thoroughly understood the case—that his theory was the correct one.