"That's it," he said. "Let Lester look into it." "Very well," assented Mr. Graham. "I agree to that. Of course, any expenses you may incur will be borne by the office." "Thank you, sir," and I rose with fast-beating heart, for the adventure appealed to me strongly. "I'll begin at once then. I should like assistance in one thing. Could you let me have three or four clerks to visit the various stables of the city? It would be best, I think, to use our own people." "Certainly," assented our senior instantly. "I'll call them in, and we can give them their instructions at once." So four clerks were summoned, and each was given a district of the city. Their instructions were to find from which stable Miss Holladay had ordered a carriage on the morning of Thursday, April 3d. They were to report at the office every day, noon and evening, until the search was finished. They started away at once, and I turned to follow them, when my eye was caught by the expression of our junior's face. "Mr. Royce is ill, sir!" I cried. "Look at him!" He was leaning forward heavily, his face drawn and livid, his eyes set, his hands plucking at the arms of his chair. We sprang to him and led him to a couch. I bathed his hands and face in cold water, while Mr. Graham hurriedly summoned a physician. The doctor soon arrived, and diagnosed the case at a glance. "Nervous breakdown," he said tersely. "You lawyers drive yourselves too hard. It's a wonder to me you don't all drop over. We'll have to look out, or this will end in brain fever." He poured out a stimulant, which the sick man swallowed without protest. He seemed stronger in a few moments, and began talking incoherently to himself. We got him down to the doctor's carriage, and drove rapidly to his lodgings, where we put him to bed without delay. "I think he'll pull through," observed the doctor, after watching him for a while. "I'll get a couple of nurses, and we'll give him every chance. Has he any relatives here in New York?" "No; his relatives are all in Ohio. Had they better be notified?" "Oh, I think not--not unless he gets worse. He seems to be naturally strong. I suppose he's been worrying about something?" "Yes," I said. "He has been greatly worried by one of his cases." "Of course," he nodded. "If the human race had sense enough to stop worrying, there'd be mighty little work for us doctors." "I'd like to call Doctor Jenkinson into the case," I said. "He knows Mr. Royce, and may be of help." "Certainly; I'll be glad to consult with Doctor Jenkinson." So Jenkinson was called, and confirmed the diagnosis. He understood, of course, the cause of Mr. Royce's breakdown, and turned to me when the consultation was ended, and his colleague had taken his departure. "Mr. Lester," he said, "I advise you to go home and get some rest. Put this case out of your mind, or you'll be right where Mr. Royce is. He had some more bad news, I suppose?"