Two hours earlier that night Doctor James had, with that syringe, injected the undiluted liquid into a hole drilled in the lock of a safe, and had destroyed, with one dull explosion, the machinery that controlled the movement of the bolts.  He now purposed, with the same means, to shiver the prime machinery of a human being—­to rend its heart—­and each shock was for the sake of the money to follow.

The same means, but in a different guise.  Whereas, that was the giant in its rude, primary dynamic strength, this was the courtier, whose no less deadly arms were concealed by velvet and lace.  For the liquid in the tumbler and in the syringe that the physician carefully filled was now a solution of glonoin, the most powerful heart stimulant known to medical science.  Two ounces had riven the solid door of the iron safe; with one fiftieth part of a minim he was now about to still forever the intricate mechanism of a human life.

But not immediately.  It was not so intended.  First there would be a quick increase of vitality; a powerful impetus given to every organ and faculty.  The heart would respond bravely to the fatal spur; the blood in the veins return more rapidly to its source.

But, as Doctor James well knew, over-stimulation in this form of heart disease means death, as sure as by a rifle shot.  When the clogged arteries should suffer congestion from the increased flow of blood pumped into them by the power of the burglar’s “oil,” they would rapidly become “no thoroughfare,” and the fountain of life would cease to flow.

The physician bared the chest of the unconscious Chandler.  Easily and skilfully he injected, subcutaneously, the contents of the syringe into the muscles of the region over the heart.  True to his neat habits in both professions, he next carefully dried his needle and re-inserted the fine wire that threaded it when not in use.

In three minutes Chandler opened his eyes, and spoke, in a voice faint but audible, inquiring who attended upon him.  Doctor James again explained his presence there.

“Where is my wife?” asked the patient.

“She is asleep—­from exhaustion and worry,” said the doctor.  “I would not awaken her, unless—­”

“It isn’t—­necessary.”  Chandler spoke with spaces between his words caused by his short breath that some demon was driving too fast.  “She wouldn’t—­thank you to disturb her—­on my—­account.”

Doctor James drew a chair to the bedside.  Conversation must not be squandered.

“A few minutes ago,” he began, in the grave, candid tones of his other profession, “you were trying to tell me something regarding some money.  I do not seek your confidence, but it is my duty to advise you that anxiety and worry will work against your recovery.  If you have any communication to make about this—­to relieve your mind about this—­twenty thousand dollars, I think was the amount you mentioned—­you would better do so.”