In the opinion of Mr. Perry-Hennington this was perilously like a display of moral cowardice, but from a purely professional standpoint it might not be unreasonable. All the mental specialists of Harley Street would not alter the fact that the man was insane--it was the only charitable assumption. At the same time, Joliffe’s request was quite easy to understand. “By all means.” The vicar’s tone of assent implied that he had to deal with a timid fellow. “We’ll consult anyone you please. Of course, only one opinion is possible, but if you feel it will help and strengthen you in your duty don’t let us hesitate. By all means let us have someone down at once.” “I am sure it is the proper course to take.” “Very well. Who shall it be? Not necessarily a man in the first flight who will want a large fee, which I’m afraid will have to come out of my pocket instead of out of the Treasury. Not that I shall grudge it, whatever it may be. Still, the case is so clear that somebody local, such a man as Parker of Brombridge, will not have the slightest difficulty in certifying him.” The vicar gazed fixedly at Joliffe. “Yes--shall we say Parker? He’ll be at the meeting this afternoon. I’ll speak to him. We ought to move without delay. The fellow ought not to be at large a day longer than we can help. Yes--Dr. Parker--this afternoon. Get him over on Monday. And this evening I’m dining with Whymper and Lady Jane--I’ll mention it to Whymper. All to the good to get the local bench interested without delay.” Dr. Joliffe nodded. But somehow he looked a little dubious. “I think, Mr. Perry-Hennington,” he said rather uneasily, “we ought to be very careful to satisfy ourselves that it is a bona fide case of paranoia.” “Certainly, certainly. I fully agree.” “I’ve no objection to meeting Parker, of course, but I should welcome a London opinion if it is possible to arrange for one. You see, this is rather a serious matter.” The vicar thought so too. “But personally, I have every confidence in Parker’s judgment. I remember some years ago when my eldest boy George had a murrain, Parker diagnosed it at once as a case of measles. I’ve always found him quite sound personally.” “I’ve not a word to say against him, I cast no doubt upon his competence, but this is one of those delicate things which it hardly seems right, if you’ll excuse my saying so, to leave entirely to local practitioners whose experience must necessarily be limited.” “Joliffe, I hope you are not hedging,” said the vicar sternly. “No, I am not hedging. But, as I say, this is a ticklish matter.” The vicar shook a pontifical head. “For the life of me,” he said, “I can’t see that it is more ticklish than any other matter. Had there been a doubt in the case one might have thought so. But the man is as mad as a hatter. A child could tell that who heard him talk as he talked to me this morning on the common.” “No doubt you are right. But he has not yet aired these particular views to me, you know.”