"Painful as it is to undeceive you, dear old sir," said Bones, with admirable patience, "I must tell you that I'm takin' up my medical studies where I left off. Recently I've been wastin' my time, sir: precious hours an' minutes have been passed in frivolous amusement--_tempus fugit_, sir an' captain, _festina lente_, an' I might add----" "Don't," begged Hamilton; "you give me a headache." There was a look of interest in Bones's eyes. "If I may be allowed to prescribe, sir----" he began. "Thanks, I'd rather have the headache," replied Hamilton hastily. It was nearly a week before the laboratory was fitted that Bones gave a house-warming, which took the shape of an afternoon tea. Bones, arrayed in a long white coat, wearing a ferocious lint mask attached to huge mica goggles, through which he glared on the world, met the party at the door and bade them a muffled welcome. They found the interior of the hut a somewhat uncomfortable place. The glass retorts, test tubes, bottles, and the paraphernalia of science which Bones had imported crowded the big table, the shelves, and even overflowed on to the three available chairs. "Welcome to my little workroom," said the hollow voice of Bones from behind the mask. "Wel----Don't put your foot in the crucible, dear old officer! You're sittin' on the methylated spirits, ma'am! Phew!" Bones removed his mask and showed a hot, red face. "Don't take it off, Bones," begged Hamilton; "it improves you." Sanders was examining the microscope, which stood under a big glass shade. "You're very complete, Bones," he said approvingly. "In what branch of science are you dabbling?" "Tropical diseases, sir," said Bones promptly, and lifted the shade. "I'm hopin' you'll allow me to have a look at your blood after tea." "Thank you," said Sanders. "You had better practise on Hamilton." "Don't come near me!" threatened Hamilton. It was Patricia who, when the tea-things had been removed, played the heroine. "Take mine," she said, and extended her hand. Bones found a needle, and sterilized it in the flame of a spirit lamp. "This won't hurt you," he quavered, and brought the point near the white, firm flesh. Then he drew it back again. "This won't hurt you, dear old miss," he croaked, and repeated the performance. He stood up and wiped his streaming brow. "I haven't the heart to do it," he said dismally. "A pretty fine doctor you are, Bones!" she scoffed, and took the needle from his hand. "There!" Bones put the tiny crimson speck between his slides, blobbed a drop of oil on top, and focussed the microscope. He looked for a long time, then turned a scared face to the girl. "Sleepin' sickness, poor dear old Miss Hamilton!" he gasped. "You're simply full of tryps! Good Lord! What a blessin' for you I discovered it!" Sanders pushed the young scientist aside and looked. When he turned his head, the girl saw his face was white and drawn, and for a moment a sense of panic overcame her.