"No. I'll give you nitrous oxide. Without it it might be very painful, for the tooth is much broken down."
Mr. Belford hesitated. Had he better place himself so utterly at the mercy of this young man?
"It will pass off in a moment, and leave no ill effects behind. You had better take it."
"Well, I will; but make it very mild, for I am afraid of these new-fangled notions."
"You need have no fear," said Elmer, bringing up his iron box of nitrous oxide, and selecting a pair of forceps from the mass of instruments in one of his trunks.
"It's very odd. It's the merest chance that I happened to have a pair of forceps. Are you ready now? Put this tube in your mouth, and breathe easily and naturally."
The patient leaned back in the chair, and the amateur stood silently watching him.
"It's a fearful risk, but I'm going to try it. I succeeded with Alma, and I fancy I can with this fool. He was a fool to run right into my arms in this fashion. No wonder his wisdom tooth was rotten. I'll have it out in a moment."
All this to himself. The patient closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
"Take it strong. It will not hurt you, and I must keep you quiet till the deed is done."