“Tobesure！hanghimandwelcome。But，onceuponatime，acertainrichmiserconceivedthedesignofspunginguponthisAbernethyforamedicalopinion。Gettingup，forthispurpose，anordinaryconversationinaprivatecompany，heinsinuatedhiscasetothephysician，asthatofanimaginaryindividual。
“’Wewillsuppose，’saidthemiser，’thathissymptomsaresuchandsuch；now，doctor，whatwouldyouhavedirectedhimtotake？’
“’Take！’saidAbernethy，’why，takeadvice，tobesure。’“
“But。”saidthePrefect，alittlediscomposed，“Iamperfectlywillingtotakeadvice，andtopayforit。Iwouldreallygivefiftythousandfrancstoanyonewhowouldaidmeinthematter。”
“Inthatcase。”repliedDupin，openingadrawer，andproducingacheck-book，“youmayaswellfillmeupacheckfortheamountmentioned。Whenyouhavesignedit，Iwillhandyoutheletter。”