"No."

"It is true; else the history of wars has taught us nothing. We haven't
heard much of plagues and epidemics yet, in the carefully censored
reports from London, but it won't be long before disease will devastate
whole armies."

Uncle John frowned. The thing was growing complicated.

"Do you consider this a wild goose chase, Doctor?" he asked.

"Not with your fortune, your girls and your fine ship to back it. I
think Miss Stanton's idea of venturing abroad unattended, to nurse the
wounded, was Quixotic in the extreme. Some American women are doing it,
I know, but I don't approve of it. On the other hand, your present plan
is worthy of admiration and applause, for it is eminently practical if
properly handled."

Dr. Barlow drummed upon the table with his fingers, musingly. Then he
looked up.

"I wonder," said he, "if Gys would go. If you could win him over, he
would fill the bill."

"Who is Gys?" inquired Uncle John.

"An eccentric; a character. But clever and competent. He has just
returned from Yucatan, where he accompanied an expedition of exploration
sent out by the Geographical Society--and, by the way, nearly lost his
life in the venture. Before that, he made a trip to the frozen North