"My dear, I feel extremely well. I have not felt so well for many years." He stretched out his hand and patted his daughter's head. "Yes, my sleep has done me good. I should like to get up for tea." "But your eyes----" stammered Alice "Can you see, father?" "See, my dear? What does she mean, Dr. Harden?" "There is some discolouration of the conjunctivae," I said hastily. "It is nothing to worry about." At that moment Alice caught sight of his finger nails. "Look!" she cried, "they're blue." The old man raised his hands and looked at them in astonishment. "How extraordinary," he murmured. "What do you make of that, doctor?" "It is nothing," I assured him. "It is only pigmentation caused--er--caused by some harmless germ." "I know what it is," cried Alice suddenly. "It's the Blue Disease. Father, you remember the Perrys were telling us about it yesterday at lunch. They said it was all over Birmingham, and that they had come south partly to escape it. They must have brought the infection with them." "Yes," I said, "that is certainly the explanation. And now, Mr. Annot, let me assure you that this disease is harmless. It has no ill effects." Mr. Annot sat up in bed with an exhibition of vigour that was remarkable in a man of his age. "I can certainly witness to the fact that it causes no ill effects, Dr. Harden," he exclaimed. "This morning I felt extremely weak and was prepared for the end. But now I seem to have been endowed with a fresh lease of life. I feel young again. Do you think this Blue Disease is the cause of it?" "Possibly. It is difficult to say," I answered in some confusion. "But you must not think of getting up, Mr. Annot. Rest in bed for the next week is essential." "Humbug!" cried the old man, fixing his brilliant eyes upon me. "I am going to get up this instant." "Oh, father, please don't be so foolish!" "Foolish, child? Do you think I'm going to lie here when I feel as if my body and mind had been completely rejuvenated? I repeat I am going to get up. Nothing on earth will keep me in bed." The old man began to remove the bedclothes. I made an attempt to restrain him, but was met by an outburst of irritation that warned me not to interfere. I motioned Alice to follow me, and together we left the room. As we went downstairs I heard a curious sound proceeding from Mr. Annot's bedroom. We halted on the stairs and listened. The sound became louder and clearer. "Father is singing," said Alice in a low voice. Then she took out her handkerchief and began to sob.