Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-28
THREE MEETINGS.


10 &as Z cold. wet night ~ Noscn
bsr. Having piled up my fire WIN
lces, drawn my table closely 70 II,
spread open my books OF reference,
vas just commencing . treatise rom
.nolts made 1T . lecture at fHopitaI
s ~. Antoine. Paris, where was study
ine surgery. I was settling to my
work with delightful sense Of comfort
- I beard the rain dashing against my
vIudow, when l was disturbed by q
shAsp ring at the outer door Of my
eoosftment. Who could II be on such
5 night as this? jacob, perhaps, come
round to smoke cigar. OF all my
comrades this young Italian was the
only one with whom had frsternized ;
but as felt enthusiastic in my task, 1t
was vexatious to be interrupted even
BY him. Lamp In hand, | opened the
Anteroom door. A stranger stood at
the threshold.
t" Have / tho pleasure Of addressing
Mr.. Philip Secretan? inquired he, IN
unmistakable English.
"That is my name" l replied, not a
little surprised. MAY ask your
business with me?
ut is professional"
"Then Il is useless. am not as yet
practicipg, being q student at present. ="
81 know it 4; but you have been re.
commended to me as the cleyeress and
most skilful English one in surgery at
your hospital, and ] prefer a country
man. Can I come in ?"
"Certainly," i replied, admitting
him. wondering what he could possibly
require and how he had heard Of me.
When he entered looked at him more
sttentiyely. A tall man, holding him
self erect in age about thirty-eight
from what could see Of his face, for
he wore q peaked travelling-caP drawn
down over his eyes, and q scarf pulled
M over his chin; he was covered with
rain.drops, and placing soaked um.
brella in the stand he Invested himself
of an old plaid ulster, and l conducted
him into my sitting-room, placing q
chair for him near the fire. Taking oil
his CAP. l saw a well.featured man, OF
pale, worn complexion, deeply-set light
colored eyes, fair hair, and neglected
beard. dressed in travelling-sult very
much the worse for wear. He was self
possessed. his voice clear, with o me-
tallic ring in it. We regarded each
other attentively.
"To whom am indebted for this
introduction, and in what manner can
be Of use to you!"
"That is immaterial."
"Pardon me, do not think So"
"You, also a young Italian named
jacob, were mentioned to Inc as being
already expert surgeons; as l said be-
fore, i give the preference to an Eng
lishman. l require your services ioI
On operation" :,
"An operation :" l exclaimed
" Where?"
Here. On myself"
regarded him from head to foot
with establishment.
"Yes, on myself. If you are Olsen
gagged, now"
Again looked at him in amazement
Was he in his right senses! | won
dered, for he appeared perfectly well.
~ will pay ten napoleons for your
Fee" be said.
"This is a most unprecedented pro-
ceedipg. You must please be little
more explicit"
For reply he laid finely-shaped
white right hand on the table. | dis
like a mans hand to be very white
il is unmasculine. "Well?" | asked.
"You see this hand wish 20 have
it amputated just above the wrist"
Amputated !" / exclaimed, hold
ing and examining it. why, this
hand is an active, capable member.
Whatever do you mean?"
"What say. | wish it taken of.
If ten nspoleons are not sufficient for
the operation, make your terms"
Sir" said ], " l must decline your
offer. see no reason whatever for
such an operation, and will not under
take it,"
"Why not? If desire it and am
willing to pay, what can it signify to
your" -,
"There is such a thing as principle"
/ answered." and | refuse to mutilate
. perfect limb. l must wish you a
good evening, begging you to think bet
ter of such an insane proceeding"
Ny visitor regarded me with an ugly
stare, then turned away, impatiently
retied the scarf about his neck, saying
defiantly "My proceedings are nothing
to you. / did not como for your ad
vice or your opinion, simply for you
professional services. ] wish you goo
night, Mr.. Secretan, and regret troubling
YOU"
lie stalked through the room, re
dopned his ulster, seized his umbrella
and made for the door, which | opene
for him, holding my lamp over the hand
rail to light his way downstairs
"Mad," said l TO myself, as | locke
after him; she must be, although h
did not appear So"
l reseated myself at the table, bu
could not return to my task; IN
strange visitor had quite unsettled mi
Whatever could be his motive for wisf
ing to undergo such an operation
Would be 60 to jacob? wondered
II SO, Jacobs ideas on the subje
might be altogether different fro
mine he was immensely clever an
skilful, the chance Of living sui
iect great temptation. | resolve
TO visit him early the next NOR
ing in order to ascertain. | lodge
in the Rue Ste. Marguerite, clo'
to my hospital, but jacob rentc
a small atsl,er further away, for he vi
ond Of modelling and frst-rate anat
mist. jacob himself opened the do,
to me. lie wore his canvas apron al
sleeves and held his modelling tools
his hand, greeting me with etfasio
Personally the young Italian was d
rect contrast TO myself-small, spar
agile, with q thin face, sparkling da'
eyes, and . physiognomy OF a Jewi
cast, in unison with his name.
aAh, milo Secretano." he cried b
fore I had time TO mention the objt
of my visit. "lhaye had such stro