Part 24 (2/2)
”Took that out--a badly neglected wound--last day I saw you.” Here a pause, an appalling cough, and by and by a whisper: ”Knew the bullet in an instant.” He smiled wearily. ”Peculiar size.” He made a feeble motion. Frowenfeld guessed the meaning of it and handed him a pistol from a small table. The ball slipped softly home. ”Refused two hundred dollars--those pistols”--with a sigh and closed eyes. By and by again--”Patient had smart fever--but it will be gone--time you get--there. Want you to--take care--t' I get up.”
”But, Doctor--”
The sick man turned away his face with a petulant frown; but presently, with an effort at self-control, brought it back and whispered:
”You mean you--not physician?”
”Yes.”
”No. No more are half--doc's. You can do it. Simple gun-shot wound in the shoulder.” A rest. ”Pretty wound; ranges”--he gave up the effort to describe it. ”You'll see it.” Another rest. ”You see--this matter has been kept quiet so far. I don't want any one--else to know--anything about it.” He sighed audibly and looked as though he had gone to sleep, but whispered again, with his eyes closed--”'specially on culprit's own account.”
Frowenfeld was silent: but the invalid was waiting for an answer, and, not getting it, stirred peevishly.
”Do you wish me to go to-night?” asked the apothecary.
”To-morrow morning. Will you--?”
”Certainly, Doctor.”
The invalid lay quite still for several minutes, looking steadily at his friend, and finally let a faint smile play about his mouth,--a wan reminder of his habitual roguery.
”Good boy,” he whispered.
Frowenfeld rose and straightened the bedclothes, took a few steps about the room, and finally returned. The Doctor's restless eye had followed him at every movement.
”You'll go?”
”Yes,” replied the apothecary, hat in hand; ”where is it?”
”Corner Bienville and Bourbon,--upper river corner,--yellow one-story house, doorsteps on street. You know the house?”
”I think I do.”
”Good-night. Here!--I wish you would send that black girl in here--as you go out--make me better fire--Joe!” the call was a ghostly whisper.
Frowenfeld paused in the door.
”You don't mind my--bad manners, Joe?”
The apothecary gave one of his infrequent smiles.
”No, Doctor.”
He started toward Number 19 rue Bienville, but a light, cold sprinkle set in, and he turned back toward his shop. No sooner had the rain got him there than it stopped, as rain sometimes will do.
CHAPTER XXII
<script>