"If you would only let me finish, sir--only listen while I describe the treatment----"
"Pray, did you ever witness the treatment you would describe--and see a life prolonged by it?"
Without directly answering the question, Hubert resumed the argument in his low and eager tones. Gradually the Squire grew interested--perhaps almost unto belief.
"And you could--could doctor me up in this manner, you think!" he exclaimed, lifting his hand and letting it drop again. "Boy, you almost take my breath away."
"Perhaps I could not, sir. But I say Dr. Jago might."
Squire Denison sat thinking, his head bent down.
"Do you know this Dr. Jago?" he presently asked. "Have you met him?"
"Once or twice, sir. And I was struck with an impression of his inward power."
"Well, I--I will see him," decided the Squire. "And if he thinks he can--can keep life in me, I will make it worth his while. Why, lad, I'd give half my fortune, nearly, to be able to will away Heron Dyke out of the clutches of those harpies, who look to inherit it, and who have kept their spies about us here. You may bring this new doctor to me."
A glad light came into Hubert's face: he was at least as anxious as his master that Heron Dyke should not pass to strangers.