Here he was at last! A tall footman was on the platform. Evidently he had received a description of Jim, for he advanced directly the latter stepped out of the train, and in another half-minute Jim was rolling along a road very dear and familiar to his eyes. It was four miles to Lord Lingfield’s residence--and the earl’s fine bays made a mouthful of the journey. "Sir Savile wishes to see you at once, sir," said the butler, as Jim entered the lofty hall of the great house. Jim followed the servant into the library. Sir Savile was leaning back in a big easy-chair, and Jim noted with some concern that the specialist’s right arm was in a sling. By his side stood Jim’s grandfather. The third doctor was in the sick-room. Sir Savile, without rising, put out his left hand. "My dear Mortimer, this is splendid of you! You have not lost a moment!" They shook hands. Jim turned to his grandfather. "How do you do, sir?" he said, flushing a little. Dr Mortimer bent his head slightly, but did not speak. "I suppose you were surprised to receive my message?" said Sir Savile. "The fact is, I’ve had an accident. I was coming downstairs this morning, when I fell and dislocated my shoulder. That being the case, I wired to you----" "I shall be pleased to assist in any way I can," said Jim. The specialist smiled. "You haven’t got to assist, Mortimer--you’ve got to operate yourself." "I, sir!" cried Jim. "Yes, _you_! You’re the best man in England after me, as I have reason to know. So, when I found myself out of the running, I sent for you. I shall direct you, and you will receive assistance from my colleagues, but the success or failure of the operation will rest entirely in your hands. If you succeed, you’re a made man; if you fail----" "I shall not fail," said Jim quietly. "I know you won’t, my boy," said Sir Savile; "for, if I had had any doubt of you, I shouldn’t have sent for you ... and now we will go upstairs." *CHAPTER XXV.* *IN THE SILENT HOUSE.* At six o’clock that night Jim Mortimer caught a train back to London. He had operated with complete success, and every evening paper in the country had published the reassuring bulletin which Sir Savile drew up after the satisfactory completion of Jim’s task. Had the operation failed, no mention would have been made of Jim’s participation in the affair. But the young surgeon had come through the trying ordeal with an unshaken nerve and triumphant skill, and Sir Savile was more than satisfied. It was the concluding sentence of the bulletin, therefore, which caused universal surprise and set the whole medical world by the ears--as well as a multitude of laymen--until the fact of the specialist’s accident became public knowledge. The operation was performed by Mr James Mortimer, M.R.C.S., late of St Matthew’s Hospital.