anti-tetanus serum.  But the missionary jerked all my things off the table in one of his paroxysms; and in replacing them I put Ridgeon’s tube where Muldooley’s ought to have been.  The consequence was that I inoculated the typhoid case for tetanus and the tetanus case for typhoid. [The doctors look greatly concerned.  B. B., undamped, smiles triumphantly].  Well, they recovered.  They recovered. Except for a touch of St Vitus’s dance the missionary’s as well to-day as ever; and the beadle’s ten times the man he was.

Blenkinsop.  Ive known things like that happen.  They cant be explained.

B. B. [severely] Blenkinsop:  there is nothing that cannot be explained by science.  What did I do?  Did I fold my hands helplessly and say that the case could not be explained?  By no means.  I sat down and used my brains.  I thought the case out on scientific principles.  I asked myself why didnt the missionary die of typhoid on top of tetanus, and the beadle of tetanus on top of typhoid?  Theres a problem for you, Ridgeon.  Think, Sir Patrick.  Reflect, Blenkinsop.  Look at it without prejudice, Walpole.  What is the real work of the anti-toxin?  Simply to stimulate the phagocytes.  Very well.  But so long as you stimulate the phagocytes, what does it matter which particular sort of serum you use for the purpose?  Haha!  Eh?  Do you see?  Do you grasp it?  Ever since that Ive used all sorts of anti-toxins absolutely indiscriminately, with perfectly satisfactory results.  I inoculated the little prince with your stuff, Ridgeon, because I wanted to give you a lift; but two years ago I tried the experiment of treating a scarlet fever case with a sample of hydrophobia serum from the Pasteur Institute, and it answered capitally.  It stimulated the phagocytes; and the phagocytes did the rest.  That is why Sir Patrick’s father found that inoculation cured all fevers.  It stimulated the phagocytes. [He throws himself into his chair, exhausted with the triumph of his demonstration, and beams magnificently on them].

Emmy [looking in] Mr Walpole:  your motor’s come for you; and it’s frightening Sir Patrick’s horses; so come along quick.

Walpole [rising] Good-bye, Ridgeon.

Ridgeon.  Good-bye; and many thanks.

B. B. You see my point, Walpole?

Emmy.  He cant wait, Sir Ralph.  The carriage will be into the area if he dont come.

Walpole.  I’m coming. [To B. B.] Theres nothing in your point:  phagocytosis is pure rot:  the cases are all blood-poisoning; and the knife is the real remedy.  Bye-bye, Sir Paddy.  Happy to have met you, Mr. Blenkinsop.  Now, Emmy. [He goes out, followed by Emmy].