"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing," replied the old man sneeringly.
"I can reply with another proverb," said Basil smiling. "A drowning man will clutch at a straw--so take me as your straw and see what I can do--I cannot cure you of your neuralgia, but I can give you some relief."
"In what way?"
"By hypnosis."
"Bah!--Mesmer and charlatanism."
"Not at all--I have studied the subject, and I assure you there is more truth in it than you imagine. Mesmer was not altogether a charlatan remember--he was wiser than Cagliostro."
"Well--well--what do you propose to do?"
"Hypnotise you."
"And then?"
"Well--the neuralgia will go away after you've been in the trance some time, then I'll wake you and you can retire."