The Argosy — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

THREE ‘THEORIES OF A CRIME, 203 The doctor was out upon hiscalls. Isauntered leisurely about the place, and put a few leading questions to Jones. ‘‘ Are you sure,’’ I inquired, ‘‘ that nobody about the hospital saw the face of the veiled lady you mentioned ?”’ . Jones studied a moment. ‘“Ts it possible that the doctor could remain there entirely undisturbed for several hours on a busy day ?’’ I pursued searchingly. ‘Oh, no, not at all,’’ he replied, brightening up. ‘‘ He wassummoned out to the wards once or twice.’’ ‘‘ Who summoned him ?”’ ‘Dr. Leader came to the door once.’’ ‘* Who else ?’”’ ‘*T don’t remember.”’ ‘Where is Dr. Leader ?’’ ‘‘He is with the druggist now, putting up prescriptions.”’ Dr. Leader was one of the visiting physicians. I hunted him up at once, and took him aside. ‘‘Doctor,’’ I began, ‘‘I want you to exercise your memory in a very im- portant case.’’ 7 ‘“Yes?’’ he answered questioningly. ‘“A week ago last Wednesday, a lady called upon Dr. hierks and while she was in his private ofhce, you rapped at his door to summon him out to the wards for some consultation or other. Do you remember ?”’ ‘* Perfectly.’’ ‘* As the doctor opened his door, did you catch sight of his visitor ?”’ ere ‘‘ Was she veiled ?”’ ‘“No.”’ ‘“Would you recognize her face again?’’ ‘“T would not be positivé, but rather think I would, as it was a strikingly handsome one.’’ “Is that it?’’ I asked, and I flashed the morning paper before his eyes. He uttered an exclamation of surprise. ‘‘Strange,’’ he observed, ‘‘ that I did not recall it when I glanced over the paper this morning. This is a poor picture, but very like her.’’ ‘Thank you,’’ I said, as I walked back to rejoin my brother officer. I cooled my heels there for an hour, but Dr. Throck did not appear. I telephoned to his rooms. ‘The landlady answered my call. Yes, he had been there, and had gone away again without a word. He had taken a small satchel and, she judged, had beeh hastily summoned out of town. Had not been gone ten minutes. I left my man at the hospital with orders to detain him by force, if neces- sary, should he arrive, and started for headquarters. On the way I spied Dr. Throck coming up a side street, satchel in hand. ‘Well, doctor,’’ was my pleasant salutation, ‘‘ going out of town ?’’ ‘“Only for a day,’’ he replied nervously ; ‘‘I am summoned away ona consultation.’’ EComicbooks.com —