"Yes, by laudanum, that it shall be a fort-night before I take it again. And don't send me to sleep this time. I--I think I should die if I didn't have it." "Let's have a look at the bottle," said Cochrane. A look of futile, childish cunning came into Thurso's face. "Oh, I think not," he said. "You--you might forget to give it me back; one always may forget things. Look here, I--I'm going to take it. That's all about it. I'm awfully grateful to you for all you have done, and to-morrow I will beg your forgiveness, and ask you to go on curing me. But this once you sha'n't stop me. Besides, there's no power either for evil or good in drugs." "That is blasphemous on your lips," said Cochrane quickly. "I beg your pardon; I shouldn't have said that." For that moment the light of anger had sprung into his eyes, but it only dulled them, and he stood there in silence a space, while they brightened again with that brilliant serenity and confidence which had been there before. Then he looked at Maud, smiled encouragement to her, and spoke. "I never stopped you before," he said. "And I'm not going to stop you now. But you laudanum-drinkers are such selfish fellows. You get away by yourselves, and drink by yourselves, and never treat anybody else. I want some of that too. Do you remember saying that perhaps it would end in your converting me? Well, let's make a beginning to-night. Let's have a jolly good drink together. You've got enough for us both, I expect, in that big bottle." Thurso still looked suspicious, and he kept his hand on his package. But Cochrane's manner was perfectly sincere, and soon he gave a little cackle of delight. His eyes, too, like Cochrane's, were very bright, but they were bright with thirst and desire. His mouth, too, so watered that he could hardly swallow quick enough to keep the saliva down. "I don't know what you mean," he said, "but I'll do anything if you'll let me take it, and not stop me. There's enough for me for to-night and for you for a week. And may I get some more to-morrow?" "You may do what you choose to-morrow," said Cochrane, "if you will give me some to-night. I've often wanted an opportunity, a proper opportunity, to take it. Why, you might say I had quite a craving for it." Maud was looking from one to the other, utterly puzzled. She came close to Cochrane. "Mr. Cochrane, what are you going to do?" she said. "What are you about? I am frightened." He looked at her quickly and radiantly. "Ah, don't be frightened," he said. "You must help and not hinder. I know I am right. Don't be afraid, and don't doubt." CHAPTER V.