'
"He shivered, and there passed across his face a look of horror. But
it was gone in a moment, though an expression of suffering remained.
"'My dear doctor.' I interposed, 'you have permitted yourself to
fall into a morbid state. This is not well. You are overworked and
need change and relaxation.'
"'Yes,' he replied, a little mournfully 'I am overworked and morbid
and all that, I know, and I must have change and relaxation or I
shall die. Ah, if I could get rid of this heavy weight!' He laid his
hand upon his breast again, and drew a deep inspiration. 'But that
is impossible. I must tell you all about it, but place upon you at
the same time an injunction of silence, except in the case of one
man, Mr. Spencer Birtwell. He is honorable and he should know, and I
can trust him.
"'You remember, of course, the entertainment he gave last winter and
some, of the unhappy effects that came of it, but you do not know
all. I was there and enjoyed the evening, and you were there, Mr.
Elliott, and I am afraid led some into temptation through our
freedom. Forgive me for saying so, but the truth is best.
"'Wine was free as water--good wine, tempting to the taste. I meant
to be very guarded, to take only a glass or two, for on the next day
I had a delicate and dangerous operation to perform, and needed
steady nerves. But the wine was good, and my one or two glasses only
made way for three or four.
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