"From the pleasant way in which you're smiling," said Meldon, "I think I may take it for granted that Dr. O'Donoghue wouldn't go far out of his way to find out exactly the kind of medicine that would cure Mr. Simpkins if by any chance he happened to fall sick." 

 "He would not. But they do say he'd poison him if he got the chance." 

 "I don't want him to do that. I should be very sorry if he did. All I want to be sure of is that the doctor wouldn't put himself out to cure Mr. Simpkins if anybody else poisoned him." 

 "The Lord save us!" said Sabina.  "Is it murder you're thinking of?" 

 "It is not," said Meldon.  "Don't get any foolish idea of that kind into your head. I'm not a murderer. I'm merely putting what is called a supposititious case, with a view to finding out what Dr. O'Donoghue's real feelings are. I don't suppose you know what a supposititious case is?" 

 "I do not. It was a backward place where I was reared, and I wasn't kept to school regular; and what's more, the Irish wasn't taught in them times." 

 "It wouldn't have helped you much if it was," said Meldon.  "A supposititious case is the same thing, very nearly, as a hypothetical proposition. It consists of two parts, a protasis and an apodosis. For instance—" 

 "It's laughing at me you are." 

 "It is not, but trying to educate you a little. For instance, I should be putting a hypothetical case if I were to say, 'Supposing you cooked the dinner I described every day for Mr. Doyle—'" 

 "I couldn't do it then, for I wouldn't be fit." 

 "That's exactly what makes it a supposititious case," said Meldon. "Now perhaps you'll understand that I don't intend to poison Mr. Simpkins myself." 

 "Nor the doctor won't do it for you," said Sabina. 

 "You said a minute ago that he would." 

 "He would not, for he's a nice gentleman, as simple and innocent as a child, only an odd time when his temper would be riz." 

 "Any way he won't be asked to. Good-bye, Sabina. I'll look in and see you next time I'm passing. Don't let that red-haired cousin of yours be putting phosphorous paste, or any of those patent rat poisons, 

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