«Very little longer now.»
«Ah! Your nerves are not all they should be.»
«No?»
«No. Nothing to be alarmed about, but you must exercise care while undergoing this strain, and afterwards you should take a complete rest. How about a voyage in the Mediterranean or the South Seas or somewhere?»
«Thanks. I'll think about it.»
«Meanwhile, to carry you over the immediate trouble I will give you something to strengthen your nerves. It will do you no permanent good, you understand, but it will tide you over the bad time. And I will give you a prescription.»
«Thank you.»
Sir Julian got up and went into a small surgery leading out of the consulting-room. Lord Peter watched him moving about — boiling something and writing. Presently he returned with a paper and a hypodermic syringe.
«Here is the prescription. And now, if you will just roll up your sleeve, I will deal with the necessity of the immediate moment.»
Lord Peter obediently rolled up his sleeve. Sir Julian Freke selected a portion of his forearm and anointed it with iodine.