Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A GRAVE CONSULTATION. * 35 solved; he would doubtless be able to tell who he is, and thus you could restore him to his friends.” “Dr. Scherz, will you share the responsibility—sim- ply that—of this matter with me?” Mr. Huntress gravely asked, after thinking deeply for several moments. ‘*T feel rather delicate about giving you an affirmative answer to that question,” the physician replied, “if I am expected to have charge of the case. I might be severely criticised and accused of a desire to experiment for the benefit of my profession, if there should be a fatal result.” “Yes, perhaps; but, on the other hand, you would ac- — quire fame if the boy was restored.” “Undoubtedly.” And the eminent physician’s eyes glowed with eagerness. “Well, the matter stands like this,” said Mr. Huvéccaw: after another thoughtful pause. ‘‘I have done my best to find the lad’s friends, but there is evidently no one, at least in Brooklyn or New York who will claim him. f am unaccountably interested in him. I will not send him to an insane asylum. [I cannot cast him forth again upon the street to wander about at the mercy of the rabble. I have resolved to care for him as I would wish a son of mine cared for under similar circumstances, and yet his presence, in this imbecile state, is a constant pain to me. What shall I do?” “Tf you intend to give him a father’s care, F see no rea- son why you should not exercise a parent’s judgment and anthority tn the matter of his possible restoration,” Dr .Scherz responded, thoughtfully. “Then will yon take charge of the case and treat it as your judgment and skill dictate? The expense and risk shall all be mine, yours the reward and fame if a cure is effected.” Dr. Scherz did not reply to this request for several minutes. He appeared to be considering and reviewing the matter in all its points, and evidently regarded the undertaking as one of grave responsibility and im- portance. At length he looked up, and Mr. Huntress was more encouraged by the expression on his pale, thoughtful face, than he had vet been over anything that he had said about the case. He felt sure that the man would aet con- scientiously. and exert himself to the extent of his skill. “T think I will atterpt it.” he said, slowly. “But be- fore I do, I would like to consult with a friend in the pro- fession, and get his opinion upon the undertaking. T wil olnn)iCelo) 0)(0)(0) 3