It near stopped my heart to see Watson in that opium den, and I did not breathe again until I heard him say that he came only in search of a friend. Better a mission of mercy than a fresh descent into the coils of poppy! But I decided almost at once that it would be less than fair to send him back to his wife with the sickly-sweet smoke still in his hair and the temptation lying ready in his surgery. Accordingly, I let him know of my presence, and arranged that he should spend the night in my company. This he did, thank God, and I believe that the long drive to Kent cleared much of the taint from both our lungs. His nightmares were mild, and easily settled with a touch on the shoulder and a quiet word.

Would that mine would be so quick to fade!