"Hold that a moment, please." The Big Business Man took the proffered spoon.
Then the Doctor produced from his pocket a magnifying glass and a tiny pair of silver callipers such as are used by jewelers for handling small objects.
"What's the idea?" the Very Young Man wanted to know.
"I thought I'd try and put him on the ring," explained the Doctor. "Now, then hold open his beak."
The Very Young Man did so, and the Doctor poured the water down the bird's throat. Most of it spilled; the sparrow twisted its head violently, but evidently some of the liquid had gone down the bird's throat.
Silence followed, broken after a moment by the scared voice of the Very Young Man. "He's getting smaller, I can feel him. He's getting smaller."
"Hold on to him," cautioned the Doctor. "Bring him over here." They went over to the table by the ring, the Banker and the Big Business Man standing close beside them.
"Suppose he tries to fly when we let go of him," suggested the Very Young Man almost in a whisper.
"He'll probably be too confused," answered the Doctor. "Have you got him?" The sparrow was hardly bigger than a large horse-fly now, and the Very Young Man was holding it between his thumb and forefinger.
"Better give him to me," said the Doctor. "Set him down."