At length the carriage rolled beneath a portico—the noise of an opening gate was heard creaking oil its hinges—the carriage stopped, and its occupauts alighted. ]5y the cold air that struck upou his face the doctor perceived that he was ou the Hteps of an outer portico. A door was opened, and the doctor fancied they made him cross a large hall; he was then led throu"h a suite of apartments covered with soft carpeting. At last the doctor's guide paused and said. "Wo have reached our destination, doctor ; remove your bandago," Th 3 doctor, whose terror had changed to an uneasy curiosity and a vague apprehen sion, obeyed the stranger's voice, and found himself in a small room, luxuriously turnished, and but half lit by an alabaster lamp which hung in the middlo of the room. The window-curtains were closely shut, as well as those of the alcove, which occupied tiie further end of the apartment. In this room the doctor found himself alone with one of the three individuals who had made him an unwilling captive. The stranger was tall and of imposing mien. He was dressed with a truly aristo oratical precision ; his black eyes glittered through the half mask. " Lioctor," said the stranger, in a dry and broken voice, " prepare your implements : you have to perform an ampatatiou," "Where is the patient?" inquired Lis franc. Saying which, he turned towards the alcove and moved a step forward. The curtains waved gently, and a stilled sigh was heard coining from that direction. " Prepare for the operation, sir," re peated the stranger, convulsively. " But," said the doctor," it is important that I should see the patient." " You can see only the hand which you are required to cut ofi." The doctor then crossed his arms, and, looking earnestly at Ms interlocutor, re plied :— "Sir, there has been violence used in bringing me here. If it be true, however, that some one stands in need of my services, without looking into jour secrets —unmind- ful of the way I have been brought here—l hIkiII willingly do my duty as a surgeon. 