in the peculiar constitution of his being, seemed to possess. After some
time, however, Woodward's glance seemed to lose its concentrative
power, and gradually to become vague and blank. In a little time he felt
himself rapidly losing ground, and could hardly avoid thinking that
the eyes of his opponent were looking into his very soul: his eyelids
quivered, his eyes assumed a dull and listless appearance, and
ultimately closed for some moments--he was vanquished, and he felt it.

"What is the matter with you?" said his companion at length, "and why
did you look at me with such a singular gaze? I hope you do not feel
resentment at what I said. I hesitated to believe you only because I
thought you might be mistaken.".

"I entertain no resentment against you," replied Woodward; "but I must
confess I feel astonished. Pray, allow me to ask, sir, are you a medical
man?"

"Not at all," replied the other; "I never received a medical education,
and yet I perform a great number of cures."

"Then, sir," said Woodward, "I take it, with every respect, that you
must be a quack."

"Did you ever know a quack to work a cure without medicine?" replied the
other; "I cure without medicine, and that is more than the quack is able
to do with it; I consequently, cannot be a quack."

"Then, in the devil's name, what are you?" asked Woodward, who felt that
his extraordinary fellow-traveller was amusing himself at his expense.