"Ah! Thompson, glad to see you," said the doctor, innocently enough-- for the lie was from habit, not intentional--"but you are not cyanide of potassium!" "Sure I'm not, indeed; but I want to consult you." "I sent in my man for a portion of that unpleasant chemical; not to meet you." "Well, it doesn't matter, my dear boy. I was coming down, and I saw your chaise; and I know you like me to make myself at home, so give me some breakfast." "Yes, of course. Run down this morning?" "Yes, by the six-thirty from Paddington. Early bird gets the first pick, you know." "There goes my gallop," groaned the doctor, as a mental vision of Leo Salis appeared before him, while he rang the bell. "Not ill, are you? Come to consult me?" "No, I'm not ill; but I have come to consult you, my dear Horace." "Did you ring, sir?" "Yes, Mrs Milt; my cousin would like some breakfast." "I am getting it ready, sir; but it can't be done in two minutes and a half." "No, no, of course not, Mrs Milt. Thank you. Send word when it's ready." "I'll bring word myself, sir," said Mrs Milt austerely. "No, don't trouble, my dear Mrs Milt," said Cousin Thompson, who looked so sleek in skin and black cloth that he shone; "a cup of coffee and a sole, cutlet--anything." "Sole! cutlet! My dear fellow, this isn't London. Give him some ham and eggs, Mrs Milt," said the doctor. "Now, old fellow," he continued, as the door closed after the housekeeper a little more loudly than was necessary, "business: what's the matter? Liver?" "No, no, my dear Horace. I'm quite well. To consult you about Mrs Berens." The doctor pushed back his chair. "Why, how surprised you look! You recommended her to come to me about her money affairs." "Oh! Ah! Yes, of course; so I did. She asked me to give her the name of a London solicitor, and so I gave her yours--my cousin's." "It was very good of you, Horace, for I am a poor man," said the visitor sleekly. "Far be it from me to quarrel with Uncle Richard's apportionment of his money, but--" "There, for goodness' sake, don't bring that up again! You know why the old man excluded you." "Yes. I had the misfortune to offend him, Horace," said the visitor with a sigh. "And now what about Mrs Berens?" "Ah, yes; a very simple matter. You are a great friend of hers?" "I am her doctor." "Yes, yes," said the other, with an unpleasant chuckle, which made North long to kick him; "but if report is true, you are going to marry the handsome widow." "Then report is not true," said North angrily. "Now to business." "Well, the fact is this," said the visitor; "in my capacity of confidential solicitor to several people, I often have to give advice, and to raise money." "No doubt," said the doctor drily.