The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-16
hecame dark with Writs and legal

almost within his grasp.
One morning DR.. Jones was gloomily
seated in his consulting-room, waiting
for patients, when there came knock
at the door and little, shabbily-dressed
br;ght-eyed elderly man was presently
| ushered in. DIR. Jones greeted his Wis,
itor with mingled feelings, being disap
pointed of a patient, vet relieved to flnc
he was not a sheriff's officer.
How are you, Mr.. Graves?' he said
instinctively, adopting the cOndeScend
ing tone of a physician towards a gen
eral practitioner. "What can L do fol
you?"
Nothing, thanks" said the little
man, briskly: ''but you can do yourself
turn, if YOU are so disposed.
"What do you mean" inquired DIR.
Jones. a trife taken aback.
.'Balmyre has asked me to go up to
Highbury to give a certificate of insan-
ity, and as he suggested that you
might also be willing to take the job
called to carry you along with me?''
returned Mr. Graves, putting his hands
under his coat-tails and warming him
self before the fire.
"Well. l am always glad to oblige DR..
Balmyre, but pom my word it is rather
inconvenient, said DR.. Jones, with i'm
portance, but avoiding his companion S
twinkling eye. 81 expect half dozen
people here Just the busiest time in
the day, too" he added, glancing at his
watch.
They haven't come vet, and as the
weather is bad / dare say they IL put it
of till Tomorrow" said little MIR.
Graves, with a smile.
Where did you say the place was?
HiShbnry! That is long way off, y
said DIR. Jones, endeayOring to look
quite unmOved.
1--WE shall be back in less than an
hour. My carriage is at the door, re-
turned Mr.. Graves. little impatiently.
"Well, as | have said, should be
sorry to disoblige Balmyre; and as for
my patients, if they won't keep their
time, they must wait" said DIR. Jones,
opening the door to his visitor and
sgnifying that he would accompany him.
He felt relieved to escape the quiet
and penetrating gaze of little Mr..
Graves. for he was painfully conscious
that his attempted air of superiority had
been failure. OF course, he was only
too glad of the opportunity of earning
a couple of guineas on a dull morning,
but it was contrary to his creed to al
low anyone to suspect it. Above all.
he considered it essential to his dignity
as physician to appear trifie conde-
scending to general practitioner and
he honestly felt tinge of contempt for
little Mr.. Graves. He might be clever
enOugh-and. indeed, he was really a
worthy disciple of the healing art. But
what, he said, was to be thought of a
man who, wantonly neglecting opportu-
mites of amassing wealth and obtaining
celebrity, went about in thick shoes
and a shocking hat, visiting all the
lowest and poorest parts of the district?
Little Mr. Graves showed he was a
good fellow by not taking umbrage at
the young mans impertinence and self
importance, and DR.. Jones insensbly
began to adopt a more genial tone and
manner during the drive. Their desti-
nation proved to be a small house in an
unpretentious street near Highbury
Station, and the formalities of the bust
ness on hand were quickly dispatched.
The patient was a middle-aged man,
whose behavior and conversation
seemed to fully testify to the aberra-
ton of his intellect. DR.. Jones signed
the certificate with clear conscience.
mentally contrasting the present case
with others he had certified to for DR..
Ralmyre when Mr.. Graves had not
been his companion.
When they took their seats in the
carriage again to drive back, DR.. Jones
glanced at the house they were leaving
and said:
Il wonder who the patient is?"
"William Roberts," said Mr.. Graves,
in his matter -of-fact way.
"YeS, know his name. But how the
deuce can people in that position afford
to pay Balmyre's terms? His asylum
is one of the most expensive there is. y"
"Ah! That has struck YOU also, has
it?" said Mr.. Graves, meaningly.
"Well, it's odd. isn't it? However, 1
suppose his relatives will starve them
selves to pay for him"
"Did anything else strike you?" in
quired Mr.. Graves.
mo. What do You mean?" said DR..
Jones, innocently.
"Have you any doubt of his being
mad?"
Good gracious, no! Have you?" de-
manded DR.. Jones, in amazement.
81 signed the certificate. l suppose
it is all right, but when l reflect feel a
little uneasily," said Mr.. Graves, Sc
riously.
Il never saw a clearer case in my
life-.neverI" cried DIR. Jones, slapping
his knee emphatically. Il would stake
my reputation that he is as mad as a
March hare"
"Ahem!" coughed Mr.. Graves,
dryly.
''Look at his manner"
"Yes. his manner was eccentric
enough"
And his conversation. The man is
a gibbering lunatic. You heard his an
swer when. on his saying he was the
Emperor of Russia, jokingly reminded
him that a minute previously he had
claimed to be the Grand Llama of
Thibet. True he said, but that was
by my first wife. "
Yes" returned Mr.. Graves, pen
sively rubbing his nose; I'm not sure
1 haven't read that joke before"
"Why, really, my dear SIR" cried
DR.. Jones, getting quite hot and angry,
''what is it you suspect? l have not a
shadow of hesitation that it is a clear
case. At all events we shall hear what
Balmyre says"
Mr.. Graves smiled at this, but he
only answered.: ''Well, there was no
coercion. If the man is less mad than
ha anpoavS to ha ba only has hipaSalf To