Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

662 ‘'Peyer’s glands!” snapped the man of medicine peevishly. ‘“ What have Peyer's glands got to do with it?” Corvan’s expression conveyed a polite “ I told you so.” _ “Everything. You are familiar with the proper function of those glands, I pre- sume?” “ Of course.” Corvan did not betray his relief at hav- ing passed a dangerous crisis. “And you don’t know ther relation to epilepsy?” . “ You talk in riddles, ” fumed the doctor. “There is no relation.” “Oh! Then my friend Dr. Compton has worked to no purpose for fifteen years, and has been curing his cases merely by blind luck.” “‘ Let me tell you that I’ve heard of your Dr. Compton,” cried the -physician, ‘“ and he’s a mere bone setter.” “Beyond the remark that it’s quite as nice to- be cured by a bone setter as to be cured by Hippocrates himself, we won’t argue that,”’ Corvan retorted, gently. ‘“‘ The b fact remains that the glands I have spoken of sometimes secrete a toxin that poisons the system and causes epilepsy. This form of epilepsy Dr. Compton can cure, and, since it is the only form which causes the conclude that it is that form our young frienc: here is suffering from.” Observe now with what cunning Corvan had Jed his hearers on. Having convinced them that this affluent and influential stran- ger was familiar with their son’s complaint, -he further inspired them with confidence in the unknown healer by obviously confound- - ‘ing the unfortunate Stevens, who, be it said, knew nothing whatever about the phenom- ena Corvan had spoken of. It was now time for the grand hurrah; which is the slang of Corvan’s profession ‘for the proper moment to land your sucker. Corvan turned to the parents. your boy is in a critical position. tf Ss quite obvious that our friend, Dr. Stevens, can ‘do nothing more for him here; and it is pos- sible that if you wait any longer, it will patient to lose the control of his mind, I. “ T think, Mr. Trench,” he said, “ that CO ey WEEKLY. be too late for Dr. Compton to take the case. I suggest that you send Harold out to Michigan immediately.” -. At this, Dr. Stevens arose to defend his own. “Albert Trench, if you do as this man suggests, I give up the case immediately.” ‘There isn’t any case left,” said Corvan. ‘* If you'll let me run you over to the train, Mr. Trench, you can have Harold under Dr. Compton’s _care_ within forty-eight hours.”” “ Mr. Corvan seems to know, doc,” said Trench slowly. _ ‘He does know,” cried Mrs. Trench un- expectedly. And again Corvan felt that in- expressible sensation of unworthiness. This woman trusted him. | “But, Mary, we can’t,” whispered Trench. ‘ We couldn’t even afford to send him up to New York.” Corvan frowned. ‘“ I hope, Mr. Trench, that you are going. to let me defray the expenses of this trip. You mustn’t let-—” But Trench cut him _ short. “We ain’t- beggars,” he said. ‘No, but you’re not in a position to con- It’s a man’s future If Compton can see sider yourselves, either. yow’re playing with. this thing through, you’ll have your son back as fine and sound as you are.” The mother’s eyes met the father’s. Cor- van breathed deeply as he caught that glance which they exchanged. ‘It’s unwise—” protested the discarded physician; but Corvan pushed him aside. ‘“ A new man!” he cried. “ For God’s sake, don’t let pride and money enter into this! If.he is remade, he can repay me a thousand times!” That glance of the two parents, of hope and of smoldering, daring vision, was turned upon him now, and the last shreds of the Great Corvan fell away to reveal the essen- tial man. ‘He can repay me in friendship alone!” he cried. And Dr. Stevens was definitely out of it. ‘Pack quickly,” urged Corvan. “ And you can take Harold out to Michigan to- night.” TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK AMICLOO© CO