"I'm precious glad, then, that you didn't," the irreverent Harry put in. "I'm hoping to be a physician--one day--remember! And what chance would there be for me and the rest of the profession, if you taught people how to live for hundreds of years without so much as an illness?" This very unexpected view of the matter from the vivacious 'budding doctor' had the effect of turning the thoughts of the others from the somewhat gloomy channel into which they seemed to have drifted. After dinner, the belt, and the purses, and their glittering contents, were brought in and spread out to view. "Whatever else may be said," Mr. Kingsford declared, with emotion, "there is not one here who will not have cause to remember the stranger Monella, and Leonard, and their friends, with grateful feelings. And you, Jack, above all; for, if I am any judge of the value of your share of these things, you are a millionaire. And that brings back to my mind the thought that is now constantly perplexing me, Who _was_ this wondrous Monella after all? I really cannot bring myself to believe he was--what was his name?--Mellenda, you know." "No," assented the doctor. "As a man, I have the greatest liking and respect for him; but, as a scientist, I am bound to disbelieve in that part." "Since I have no claim yet to be considered a scientist," said Harry, "I suppose I am free to believe what I like. So I go the whole ticket. I believe he was what I first pronounced him to be--a magician--and--I swallow the Mellenda legend--whole! So there!" This very emphatically. "Oh dear, _yes_!" Stella exclaimed, her blue eyes opening wide at the doubting ones. "Why, of course, it _must_ be true. It is so much more romantic and poetic, you know!" Robert shook his head gravely. "No!" he said, very decidedly. "I honour and respect the man, and his memory, from all I have heard of him, but--I cannot accept that wonderful part of it." "Well, _I_ do," Maud exclaimed, looking round with a pretty air of defiance, more particularly directed against Jack. "So that makes opinion even, so far--three for, and three against. Now," to Templemore, "of course, I know _you_ will side with the others." To every one's surprise, however, Jack also shook his head. "I don't know that," he answered, with a comically bewildered air. "I've really had all my old notions so mixed up and blown about, that I honestly admit I really cannot make up my mind. The whole thing is an enigma that I cannot solve as yet--probably never shall. So you may put me down as neutral--undecided--whatever you like to call it." Maud clapped her hands; and upon that the puma gave a loud roar, evidently signifying _her_ assent and approbation. "Three for, three against, and one neutral," Maud cried "That's better than I hoped for!" The doctor laughed, and his good-natured eyes twinkled.