"Good! It will come better from you than from a total stranger. No doubt I am known to her by name; but we have never chanced to meet. Without alarming her too much, I want you to make Ronnie's condition quite clear to her. Tell her he must be kept absolutely quiet and happy on his return; and, with as little delay as may be, she must have the best advice procurable."
"Whom would you recommend?"
"To be quite honest, I am afraid a brain specialist. But I will give you the name of a man who has also made a special study of the conditions caused by malarial fever, and exposure to tropical heat."
Dick produced a note-book, wrote down a name and address, tore out the leaf, and handed it to Aubrey.
"There! You can't do better than that. Of course it is everything that you are taking him right home. But, even so, let your letter get there first. You might have difficulty in seeing Mrs. West alone, and mischief might be done in a moment, which you would be powerless to prevent. Tell her, that above all else, she must avoid any sort of shock for him. A violent emotion of any kind would probably send him clean off his head."
"I am sure you are right, there," said Aubrey. "He suddenly became violent to-night, while we were talking about his 'cello; got up, staggered across, and struck me on the mouth."
Dr. Dick's keen eyes were instantly bent upon Aubrey Treherne in perplexed scrutiny.
Aubrey shifted uncomfortably in his seat; then rose and put fuel into the stove.
Still Dick sat silent.
When Aubrey resumed his seat, Dick spoke—slowly, as if carefully weighing every word.