Beadle's Dime Library No. 146 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

re The old gentleman had cast only a casual glance at the body—just enough to assure him- self that the “‘ goods” were up to the mark, and exactly as had been represented, before he paid over the money to the *‘ expressman,” and now, after the men had departed, he hurried up- stairs, eager to take a good look at his cadaver. Everything was in readiness; the glittering knives, upon which the bright beams of the gas- light danced, were upon the marble-topped table by the side of the body, flanked on each side b large and curicusly-shaped bottles filled wit colored liquids. The was covered by a dark cloth; all that could be distin uished of it was the out- in the mortal remains that reposed be- neath, , In a great hurry the old gentleman stripped off his Coat and rolled his shirt sleeves up to the elbow, baring both arms. Then, with really feverish impatience, he stripped the cloth from the body and p ded to examine his prize with critical eyes. “Splendid!” he exclaimed, with true profes- sional ardor. ‘Magnificent! The fellows did not lie, after all! It is well worth the money It is really a shame, though, that Iam to have all thisto myself Byrights I should have a colleague here. Let mesee! Whoistherethat I can get at to-night who would be apt to enjoy such an opportunity as this?’ And the old sur- geon meditated over the matter, and deliberated as an epicure would deliberate before sending out invitations for a feast which promised to be fit for an emperor’s enjoyment, “I can’t think of a single soul I would care to have. I must go on by myself, then, but it is really almost as bad as for a man to sit down and get drunk in solitude.” Then there came a quick ring at the door-bell. ** Hallo, hallo!” cried the old gentleman, be- coming a little alarmed immediately. ‘‘I hope that isn’t the police! It would be awkward if the scoundrels have blundered and brought the officers down upon me!” Such a thing had ate once and a deal of money it cost the doctor to hush up the matter. He stole cautiously to the front room—the study was a back room on the second floor—and raising the window cautiously peered out. The alarm was a groundless one; a single old entleman, with snow-white hair, that trailed down upon his shoulders, and a very long white beard, with a valise in his hand stood on the stoop. There was something about him that seemed faniiliar—something in the face and , and yet the doctor ceuld not place him. He called out: ‘* What is it, sir? What do you require?’ “Ah, is that you, Daniel?’ asked the old man, iooking up so that the doctor could geta view of his face. The voice the doctor recognized immediately, for voices do not change like faces and figures. The huge beard and long hair had disguised the one—an acquired stoutness the other. But, now that he had spoken, the doetor knew him at once. It was his old chum at college, his partner when he had first com- men to practice, his warm and steadfast friend of later years. Gayaway Philcard, a student and a scholar, a man who had both the theory and the practice of medicine at his fin- gers’ ends. ‘Bless my soul! is that you, Gayaway?’ the doctor enoldimed in astonishment. For over ten years the old gentleman had neither met nor heard of his old friend, but now, at the very moment when he was wishing for a chum to en- joy with him the rich professional treat which was before him, an springs the man, above all men, who would enjoy such a thing. It really seemed as if he had come in obedience to the doctor’s wish. The d r hurried down-stairs and admitted his visitor, whom he greeted in the warmest manner. ‘* Where on earth have you kept yourself for this age?” he exclaimed, as he conducted the guest into the sitting-room, and assisted him to remove his outward wrappings. “Well, I have made tour around the world, and on my way, of course, I came through India, and by the favor of one of the native princes whom I succeeded in curing of a slight illness, I was put in the way of finding out some things that few Europeans have ever known.” ‘*'Well—well—well!” exclaimed the old doc- tor, his professional feelings at once aroused, and he shook his head as he looked down with envious eyes at his old friend. ‘Yes, nothing would this prince be satisfied with but for me to go with him as his court hysician, and as the kingdom over which he ruled was away in the interior, in a district rarely visited by Europeans—all white men are }uropeans there, you know—I accepted the pest. I was anxious to see thisalmost unknown country with its many wonderful plants pos- cessing fabulous virtues, after the old story of the Peruvian bark, you: know; and then, too, I wanted to see the rs of the region on their _ native heaths, and see how they compared with r The Doctor Detective. oe ae us outside barbarians. Well, tobe brief, I spent eight fra Ran = seu Per ce the * omg e so that I cou it like a native vor the dress common to the clime, and passed for a native with one and all, except a few who knew my secret.” ‘* And you encountered the native doctors— you learnt all about these marvelous plants, eh? and did you make any valuable discoveries? ex- claimed the old doctor, on the tip-toe of expec- tation. ** Well, no, nothing to speak of. I have a few decoctions that will be useful in the same line as the Peruvian bark, for malarial fevers. That being a country where malaria rages, of course, all the native doctors pay more atten- tion to that than to anything else.” ‘But their skill, my dear Gayaway, does it amount to anything?’ ‘In the fever line, yes; outside of that they are all a set of wretched botches; but, as a race, the Hindoos have the most wonderful patience and a great knowledge of the virtues of the many plants their land boasts, but I must say that, as far as I could discover, and remember, nesrly all their efforts are devoted to discover- ing subtle poisons and the remedies for the same. That probably comes from the old state of affairs when there was almost always a war going on between some of the native princes, and in these wars the poison-cup and the assas- sin’s dagger always play a more prominent part than the sword and gun.” ** Ah! then you probably have some rare tales to tell of these mysterious poisons?’ “Yes, for want of better occupation I studied them thoroughly, and I flatter myself that there isn’t a man living to-day, European or native, who knows more about them, although of course the knowleige is useless; but I became interested in the subject, and so 1 mastered it thoroughly.” ‘“*Tt was like you; I am not surprised. If you remember, you and I were the scholars cf our class. Well, my dear old friend, 1 too bave been studying in my old age. At a time when other men are beginning to lay down their bur- dens, you and I, with young hearts, although old heads, take up new ones. The other wagged his head and the cheerful sparkle that camein his eyes made them look as bright as the eyes of a boy. “It is extremely lucky then, my coming at this opportune time. In what direction have your researches extended?” ‘‘ A preserving fluid!” replied the old doctor, lowering bis voice, as though he feared that some one might overhear the words. “ The secret of the Egyptian mummies?” **Ob, no!” exclaimed the other, disdainfully. ‘“* W hat object to preserve a body in that dried- up state! e idea of that secret is mere child’s P y compared to whatlamafter. My object to take the body and by injecting a certain fluid into the yeins cause it to retain a life-like appearance, and at the same time preserve it from decay.” ‘* But is there not a process of embalming af- ter that idea already in use? It occurs to me that | have heard something in regard to it, in England?’ ‘Oh, yes, it was used here during the last war. uite a number of our prominent sol- diers, who fell on the field, were embalmed and their bodies brought on to the North so that their funerals might take place here amid their friends, but that is a very costly: process, and merely a temporary one. It is not expected nor intended to stand the test of years. There is where the novelty of my idea comes in. My is cheap; a quart of fluid, costing per- bape five dollars, with a syringe and a knife to Coed a vein, will be all that is required. he operation is perfectly simpie—a child, ten years old, can perform it. It will do away with all these expensive funerals; undertakers and sextons will find their occupations gone; graveyards will be at a discount, and the tomb- stone men will cut their throats in despair. A hundred a hence, if this thing is the success which I think it will be, the man of position and standing when he wants to make a visitor ac- quainted with his ancestors, instead of taking him into a picture gallery and showing a lot of wretched daubs, by courtesy termed portraits, not one of which gives you the least idea of the person for whom it is intended, will take the guest into a room where, in glass cases, every one of his ancestors sits preserved, exactly as he was in lifel What do you think of it? stent it be a superb thing—a perfect revolu- tion ‘Yes, if it can be done,” replied the other, a little doubtfully. ‘Tt can! I will show you this very night. Come up-stairs. I’ve a subject up there all ready for the experiment now!” The doctor conducted his visitor into the study and threw back the cloth from the upper part of the body—he had been careful to replace it when the bell rung—and, at the same time, catching up one of the large knives, pointed in triumph toward the victim of the White Band’s fearful plot. “There!” he cried, “what do you think of that? Isn’t it grand?” @ CHAPTER Vill. A LITTLE OF THE PAST. AND now, in order that the reader may have a full understanding and be able to hold firmly in his mind the threads of our story, it will be necessary for us to retrace our steps and relate a certain incident which occurred to Doctor Diamond just after his visit to the wretched quarter where Mrs. Eldon died. The doctor had proceeded straight to his home, his mind busy with thoughts of the strange scene in which he had been an actor. Like an angel of light the young girl had appeared before him, and for the first time in his life he felt that he had something worth living for. He was not willing to believe that it was pow sible fate would throw such a glorious creature in his way only to tear them asunder after th had learned to love each other, for this coal, sober man, noted from early youth for being ol beyond his years, was as wild with his passion as a hot-headed boy of eighteen, and nothing doubted that he could secure the love of the woman whom he had only seen once in his life. He ascended the steps of his house, applied the latch-key te the door, opened it, entered and turned to close it, but was prevented, cause a woman, who had followed him with noiseless steps, stood right in the doorway. She was a tall lady, muffledia a dark cloak which covered her from head to heel, and her face was hidden by a heavy black vail; but, dark and dense as was this covering, it did not. oe brilliant pair of eyes that flashed be- neath. “You are Doctor Diamond, sir?’ the lady questioned, in a rich and well-modulated voi which, to the acute ears of the man, betray that the speaker was a lady by birth and breed- me Yes, madam.” He did not call her miss, for her figure made him believe that she was no school-girl. “Will f oe ene me a private interview, potent cS) ed. “I will not detain you Oo ng. Doctors and lawyers are the father-confessors of about one-half the world, and so Diamond was not surprised at the request. “Certainly,” he replied, although convinced, notwithstanding her cloak and vail which acted as a complete disguise, that she was no patient of his. ‘‘This way, if you please,” He conducted her into the little front parlor, turned up the gas, which was burning dimly, , acct hap ated for his caller, then closed the oor. Scating himself and removing his hat he said: ‘*Now, I am at your service. With a hand that evidently trembled, much to the doctor’s astonishment, the woman re- moved her vail. A proud and beautiful face was revealed—a patrician haseg« & She was a brunette with the most brilliant black eyes imaginable—a woman who might be thirty, perhaps five years older than that, and possibly ten—evidently reared mTacntin. 4 of luxury and used to power and comman The vail r-ised she fixed her brilliant a oo upon the face of the doctor and to Diamond’s fancy there was anger in the look. ““Well,” said the lady, or, eee a long pause, finding that the gentleman did not The doctor was mystitied; she evidently ex- pected him to begin the conversation, alth oo _ cages — imagine that he ve say er, a perfect stranger, was a puzzle to the doctor. ““What is the nature of your business, ma- dam?’ he finally demanded. *“‘Oh, you are inclined to treat me asa fect nger, then?” she exclaimed, with a sarcastic accent, her beautiful eyes flashing fire. **How else should I treat youf” the returned, 3 ‘* But we are not strangers.” “No?” ‘We have met before, although years have 1d since then.” ela “It is possible, madam, but I must say that I do not remember to have ever had the pleasure of meeting you, and I feel sure that if we have met 1 should remember you, no matter how many years had intervened, for such a face as yours is not easily forgotten.” ‘* Now, you speak as you didin the old time when you swore so solemnly that I was the most beautiful woman in the world, and that earth not a creature who could ever cause you to forget me!” the woman cried, an- ger plainly apparent in both face and volee. The doctor stared, and then, bending for- ward, he cast a keen and critical look pa her face, a scrutiny which she instantly r “Oh, you wish me to think thaf you suspe Iam out of my senses, eh? but I know better; you know who I am, and this peendes rance will not avail you in the least. Look in my oe and then say that I am crazy, if you The doctor accepted the ene oe ip but, after a good, pe. bone he shook his head. ‘No, , #8 far as my limited skill can GOomichboo (eo) ‘Ss