Part 41 (1/2)
They have been after me. I've dodged falling safes; I've been shanghaied, poisoned; but I haven't said a word.”
”Good lord! Do you mean all that?”
”Every word, sir.”
”I'll make it ninety days, Jim; and if this story comes in I'll see that you get a corking bonus.”
”I'm not looking for bonuses. I'm proud of my work. To get this story is all I want. That'll be enough. Thanks for the extension of time.
Good night.”
So Florence received a long night letter in the morning.
And the doctor arrived at about the same time. And called promptly upon his patient.
”Fine!” he said. ”The sea air was just the thing. A doctor always likes to find his advice turning out well.”
He glanced quizzically at Florence, who was the picture of glowing health. Suddenly he frowned anxiously.
”You need not look at me,” she laughed. ”I never felt better in all my life.”
”Are you sure?”
”Why, what in the world do you mean?”
He did not speak, but stepped forward and took her by the wrist, holding his watch in his other hand. He shook his head. He looked very solemn, indeed.
”What is it?” demanded Susan, with growing terror.
”Go to your own room immediately and remain there for the present,” he ordered. ”I must see Miss Hargreave alone.”
He opened the door and Susan pa.s.sed out bewilderedly. He returned to Florence, who was even more bewildered than her companion. The doctor began to ask her questions; how she slept, if she was thirsty, felt pains in her back. She answered all these questions vaguely. Not the slightest suspicion entered her head that she was being hoodwinked.
Why should she entertain any suspicion? This doctor, who seemed kindly and benevolent, who had prescribed for Susan and benefited her, why should she doubt him?
”In heaven's name, tell me what is the matter?” she pleaded.
”Stay here for a little while and I'll be back. Under no circ.u.mstances leave your room till I return.”
He paced out into the hall, to meet the frantic Susan.
”We must see the manager at once,” he replied to her queries. ”And we must be extremely quiet about it. There must be no excitement. You had better go to your room. You must not go into Miss Hargreave's.
Tell me, where have you been? Have you been trying to do any charitable work among the poorer cla.s.ses?”
”Only once,” admitted Susan, now on the verge of tears.
”Only once is sufficient. Come; we'll go and see the manager together.”
They arrived at the desk, and the manager was summoned.
”I take it,” began the doctor lowly, ”that a contagious disease, if it became known among your guests, would create a good deal of disturbance?”