Part 24 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXI
DOCTOR KEENE RECOVERS HIS BULLET
It early attracted the apothecary's notice, in observing the civilization around him, that it kept the flimsy false bottoms in its social errors only by incessant reiteration. As he re-entered the shop, dissatisfied with himself for accepting M. Grandissime's invitation to ride, he knew by the fervent words which he overheard from the lips of his employee that the f.m.c. had been making one of his reconnoisances, and possibly had ventured in to inquire for his tenant.
”I t'ink, me, dat hanny w'ite man is a gen'leman; but I don't care if a man are good like a h-angel, if 'e har not pu'e w'ite '_ow can_ 'e be a gen'leman?”
Raoul's words were addressed to a man who, as he rose up and handed Frowenfeld a note, ratified the Creole's sentiment by a spurt of tobacco juice and an affirmative ”Hm-m.”
The note was a lead-pencil scrawl, without date.
DEAR JOE: Come and see me some time this evening.
I am on my back in bed. Want your help in a little matter. Yours, Keene.
I have found out who ---- ----”
Frowenfeld pondered: ”I have found out who ---- ----” Ah! Doctor Keene had found out who stabbed Agricola.
Some delays occurred in the afternoon, but toward sunset the apothecary dressed and went out. From the doctor's bedside in the rue St. Louis, if not delayed beyond all expectation, he would proceed to visit the ladies at Number 19 rue Bienville. The air was growing cold and threatening bad weather.
He found the Doctor prostrate, wasted, hoa.r.s.e, cross and almost too weak for speech. He could only whisper, as his friend approached his pillow:
”These vile lungs!”
”Hemorrhage?”
The invalid held up three small, freckled fingers.
Joseph dared not show pity in his gaze, but it seemed savage not to express some feeling, so after standing a moment he began to say:
”I am very sorry--”
”You needn't bother yourself!” whispered the doctor, who lay frowning upward. By and by he whispered again.
Frowenfeld bent his ear, and the little man, so merry when well, repeated, in a savage hiss:
”Sit down!”
It was some time before he again broke the silence.
”Tell you what I want--you to do--for me.”
”Well, sir--”
”Hold on!” gasped the invalid, shutting his eyes with impatience,--”till I get through.”
He lay a little while motionless, and then drew from under his pillow a wallet, and from the wallet a pistol-ball.