afraid he wasn't going to be able to stick it out till the end of
the school year. I hope Larry won't break down. He is a fine
fellow and worthy even of Agnes Campion. Well, here we are.
Coming in, David?"

"Not this afternoon--haven't got time. I must mosey up to the
North End to see a man who has got a lovely throat. Nobody can
find out what is the matter. He has puzzled all the doctors. He
has puzzled me, but I'll find out what is wrong with him if he'll
only live long enough."



CHAPTER II. A LETTER OF DESTINY

Eric, finding that his father had not yet returned from the
college, went into the library and sat down to read a letter he
had picked up from the hall table. It was from Larry West, and
after the first few lines Eric's face lost the absent look it had
worn and assumed an expression of interest.

"I am writing to ask a favour of you, Marshall," wrote West.
"The fact is, I've fallen into the hands of the Philistines--that
is to say, the doctors. I've not been feeling very fit all
winter but I've held on, hoping to finish out the year.

"Last week my landlady--who is a saint in spectacles and
calico--looked at me one morning at the breakfast table and said,
VERY gently, 'You must go to town to-morrow, Master, and see a
doctor about yourself.'