The Hidden Hand

"Take me with you! No, no, my good sir!--no, no, that is too good a joke--ha! ha!"

"Sir, I fear that you will find it a very serious one. Your servant told you that my errand was one of imminent urgency?"

"Yes; something like life and death--"

"Exactly; down in the cabin near the Punch Bowl there is an old woman dying--"

"There! I knew it! I was just saying there might be an old woman dying! But, my dear sir, what's that to me? What can I do?"

"Humanity, sir, would prompt you."

"But, my dear sir, how can I help her? I am not a physician to prescribe--"

"She is far past a physician's help."

"Nor am I a priest to hear her confession--"

"Her confession God has already received."

"Well, and I'm not a lawyer to draw up her will."

"No, sir; but you are recently appointed one