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" What! " cried Paulus Androcydes, in amazement.
" Can it be that the patient will die ? Indigestion rarely
kills."
" But medicine often does," replied Athothis, dryly.
" My prognosis is, crape on the front door-knob in twenty-
four hours. For, when three consulting physicians diag-
nose as many different diseases, and prescribe morphia,
hot baths, lithia, strychnia, and quinine, poor humanity
must needs order a shroud and prepare for the grave."
" Let me stay this cruel work!" exclaimed Paulus
Androcydes, excitedly, darting forward and endeavoring
to tear the instrument from Doctor Killem's hands.
Whereat, Athothis laughed at the impotence of the
spiritual attempt, and remarked: " Come ! no violence,
if you please. Recollect that you are powerless at pres-
ent. Besides, the patient's fate is already sealed, and
his name is inscribed on the scroll of the silent passers
away, on the records of Osiris. Look! Doctor Killem
has already inserted another dose of his poison."
Even as he made this remark, the deadly needle was
withdrawn from the sick man's arm, and he calmly slept
on, apparently unmindful of the operation.
" He dreams sweet dreams of his youth and loving
mother," continued the Egyptian. "Away ! "
The first beams of glorious sunlight were peeping in
at the windows, and again the spirits gently floated
through the ambient ether.
5
