For one reason or another Dr. Joliffe would have been very willing just now to consign John Smith to limbo. Nor was this desire made less when the patient, after being duly examined, reported upon, and admonished, requested the nurse to withdraw from the room in order that he might talk with the doctor privately. Joliffe knew well enough what was coming. And he would have done much to avoid further contact with a most unhappy subject, from which consequences were flowing of an ever-increasing embarrassment. But there was no means of escape. For Brandon, the subject of John Smith had become almost an obsession; a fact which the doctor had begun to realize to his cost. “What steps have been taken?” Brandon began as soon as they were free of the nurse’s presence. “Steps?” Joliffe fenced a little. “In regard to John Smith.” There was a sudden excitement in the bright eyes. “He’s in my mind night and day. I can’t bear the thought that he should be destroyed.” “I’m sorry to say that Birdwood Thompson can’t come here.” The professional voice was dulcet and disarming. “He’s in a very bad state of health and giving up practice. His second boy went down on the _Victorious_, and his eldest was killed the other day in France, so I suppose that may have something to do with it.” “Well, what is being done?” “As you ask the question,” was the cautious reply, “we have agreed upon Murfin. Personally, I don’t think he’s as good as Moriarty or the other man, but we wrote to him in order to save trouble.” “In order to save trouble!” Brandon gasped. “Save trouble in a matter of this kind?” “Certainly. And we are all of us very anxious that you should not worry over it any more.” “But--don’t you see--what a terrible thing it is?” “Not exactly terrible.” Dr. Joliffe spoke gravely but cheerfully. “Quite an everyday occurrence, you know, if one looks at it in the right way.” “An everyday occurrence--if--one--looks--at--it--in--the right way!” “Undoubtedly. Cases of this kind are always arising. Whatever view one may take of the man, he is certainly on the border line; therefore, whether he’s certified or not is merely a question of expediency. And what I have to point out to you is that in the last resort, as the world is just now, with all these public safeguards in operation the final decision will be taken by the authorities.” “How cruel!” said Brandon, with growing excitement. “Not necessarily cruel,” said Dr. Joliffe in a mellifluous tone. “To think of our local _Shallows_ sitting in judgment on the first spirit of the age!” “The irony of circumstances.” “No.” Brandon’s eyes were hectic. “It takes more than two thousand years to change the world. An old story is being retold with a few modern improvements. I see that. But, Joliffe, I believe you to be a just man, and I count on your help. For the love we both bear the Republic, I want you to put up a fight for John Smith.”