The doctor mused in his turn.

‘I don’t like it.  He may alter his will, and then—­where do I come in?’

‘Of course that is an objection,’ said Merton.  ’But where do you come in if you refuse?  Logan, I can assure you (I have read up the Scots law since I came to town), is the heir if the marquis dies intestate.  Suppose that I do not leave this house in a few minutes, Logan won’t bargain with you; we settled that; and really you will have taken a great deal of trouble to your own considerable risk.  You see the usual document, my statement, is lodged with a friend.’

‘There is certainly a good deal in what you say,’ remarked the doctor.

‘Then, to take a more cheerful view,’ said Merton, ’I have medical authority for stating that any will made now, or later, by the marquis, would probably be upset, on the ground of mental unsoundness, you know.  So Logan would succeed, in spite of a later will.’

The doctor smiled.  ’That point I grant.  Well, one must chance something.  I accept your proposals.  You will give me a written agreement, signed by Mr. Logan, for the arrangement.’

‘Yes, I have power to act.’

’Then, Mr. Merton, why in the world did you not let your friend walk in Burlington Arcade, and see the lady?  He would have been met with the same terms, and could have proposed the same modifications.’

’Well, Dr. Melville, first, I was afraid that he might accidentally discover the real state of the case, as I surmised that it existed—­that might have led to family inconveniences, you know.’

‘Yes,’ the doctor admitted, ’I have felt that.  My poor daughter, a good girl, sir!  It wrung my heartstrings, I assure you.’

‘I have the warmest sympathy with you,’ said Merton, going on.  ’Well, in the second place, I was not sure that I could trust Mr. Logan, who has rather a warm temper, to conduct the negotiations.  Thirdly, I fear I must confess that I did what I have done—­well, “for human pleasure."’

‘Ah, you are young,’ said the doctor, sighing.

‘Now,’ said Merton, ’shall I sign a promise?  We can call Dr. Fogarty up to witness it.  By the bye, what about “value received”?  Shall we say that we purchase your ethnological collection?’

The doctor grinned, and assented, the deed was written, signed, and witnessed by Dr. Fogarty, who hastily retreated.

‘Now about restoring the marquis,’ said Merton.  ’He’s here, of course; it was easy enough to get him into an asylum.  Might I suggest a gag, if by chance you have such a thing about you?  To be removed, of course, when once I get him into the house of a friend.  And the usual bandage over his eyes:  he must never know where he has been.’

‘You think of everything, Mr. Merton,’ said the doctor.  ’But, how are you to account for the marquis’s reappearance alive?’ he asked.

’Oh that—­easily!  My first theory, which I fortunately mentioned to his medical attendant, Dr. Douglas, in the train, before I reached Kirkburn, was that he had recovered from catalepsy, and had secretly absconded, for the purpose of watching Mr. Logan’s conduct.  We shall make him believe that this is the fact, and the old woman who watched him—­’