David Baker was a short, stocky fellow with an ugly, irregular,
charming face; his eyes were brown and keen and secretive; his
mouth had a comical twist which became sarcastic, or teasing, or
winning, as he willed. His voice was generally as soft and
musical as a woman's; but some few who had seen David Baker
righteously angry and heard the tones which then issued from his
lips were in no hurry to have the experience repeated.

He was a doctor--a specialist in troubles of the throat and
voice--and he was beginning to have a national reputation. He
was on the staff of the Queenslea Medical College and it was
whispered that before long he would be called to fill an
important vacancy at McGill.

He had won his way to success through difficulties and drawbacks
which would have daunted most men. In the year Eric was born
David Baker was an errand boy in the big department store of
Marshall & Company. Thirteen years later he graduated with high
honors from Queenslea Medical College. Mr. Marshall had given
him all the help which David's sturdy pride could be induced to
accept, and now he insisted on sending the young man abroad for a
post-graduate course in London and Germany. David Baker had
eventually repaid every cent Mr. Marshall had expended on him;
but he never ceased to cherish a passionate gratitude to the kind
and generous man; and he loved that man's son with a love
surpassing that of brothers.

He had followed Eric's college course with keen, watchful
interest. It was his wish that Eric should take up the study of