Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-09

''Sahib very bad. Him one dam rash all
over"
Jumping out of bed. Hedford threw on
his dressing gown, and, followed by Chun-
dra-Dass, rushed 20 the generals led
room.
The sword had fallen!
What do you think is the matter, He'd
ford?" the general asked anxiously 'I
don't half like the rash on my face and
wrists. l feel as if I've been peppered by
small shot
gravely, after careful examination of his
patient.
What have I got?'
Smallpox"
my God.-the poor girls"
Maj. Gen. Hamilton died and was duly
buried
The specialist might have made a post
mortem" privately if he had wished But
the general had died of smallpox and
there was an end of it. Besides, he had
abandoned the poison theory. He had en-
tered a cul-de-sac.
On he day after the funeral Hedford. at
Ethel Hamiiton's request. went over the
deceased's papers. He was struck by the
number of gold and silver mine prospec-
fuses which poor Hamilton had accumu-
lated. AS he tossed them one after an
other into the waste paper basket he oh
served some pencil memoranda, in the gen.
erafs handwriting, on a prospectus from
which the wrapper had been removed.
The Dullwitch postmark caught his eve
This struck him as odd Prospectuses are
not usually posted in small country viii
lagos hundred miles from London. He
turned over the contents of the basket on
the floor. and found several torn Wrappers
which he infinitely examined Then taking
from his pocket book the reports of ex-
Inspector Trowbrigg. which he had re-
ceived from day to day. he perused them
with concentrated attention The Specialist
sat down to think. A dozen wild guesses
passed through his mind, but none stood
the test of second thoughts" One shad-
owy idea then began to form, wilder and
more horrible still than all the rest. so far
fetched, indeed that he dismissed it. But
1t persistently returned again and again.
lie fought against 1t no further. He would
go to Dullwitch. A short telegram was
dispatched to Trowbrigg.
CHAPTER II.
He1ford explained to the two girls Fl; +
he was summoned away for few days Oh
business Of the most urgent nature. Re.
fore leaving he handed to Ethel Hamilton
a twsnty-pound bank note which he found
In the generals writing desk Owing to
the fact that he had placed it there him
self no one had better right to find it.
The specialist was a kindly man, although
a vivisectionst.
The next evening Hedford arrived at
Dullwitch. He was met at the station by
Irowbrlgg. Dullwitch is a small country
village on the Great Northern line some
seven or eight miles from the large manu-
featuring town of Starlington.
The detective took much interest in the
geon Colonel bedford had apparently no
other object in life than golfing, to which
fascinating pursuit he devoted himself with
great energy. He got to know many of the
golfers.
On the third morning Of mis- stay in Dull
witch he was met on the links by Trow.
brigg, who took from his pocket a news
paper. the Starlington News Letter. and
cd 70 nh,
pencil: "Dullwitch Hcspital.-Sir William
Huntingdon, NJ. P. for Starlington, has for.
warded check for five hundred pounds to
the treasurer of the Dullwitch Hospital. If
the other life governors would follow his
princely exan-1e the Institutions debt
would soon be cleared OFF. Sir William
Huntingdon's frequent visits to the wards
testify"
Aedford read no more. The hospital was
situated at the outskirts of the village. He
went there without delay. The house ply
stefan. DIR. Grey, another ardent golfer,
gratefully received his modest subscription
of five pounds. DIR. Grey was mucn pleased
with the interest In the hospital shown by
Col. Heiford-an interest natural CROUCH
In a brother medical mainland cordially in
vited him to inspect the wards.
After the tour Of the hospital, Hedford
said, careiessly: What about your cases
Of infectious disease?"
"Splendidly isolated-a separate build
ing" Grey explained" Like to go through?''
Eyes. if 1 may"
"Most of our infectious cases are sent to
us from Starlington," DR.. Grey said as they
crossed the quadrangle to a row of Isolated
huts. I'VE have several bad cases of ty-
plus and smallpox at present Is 1t wise,
though. on your part to run any risk? You
are not on duty, you know"
"Oh." said Hedford. with a quiet smile,
Il am disease proof I have seen too much
of that sort of thing in India to have the
least fear. You can disinfect NE after
ward"
Nurse Hudson was on duty-a tall. ex-
pressonless woman, who answered DR.
Grey'S questions IN a direct, busness-like
manner Nurse Hudson was reported to
have private means.
Splendid woman. but too unsympathet-
ic' Dr. Grey whispered in Hedford's ear.
Nurse Hudson looked keenly at the Wis
itor who was, in seemingly careless man.
ner, inspecting a patients clinical chart,
which hung en- the wall beside the bed.
The remarks on the chart were In Nurse
Hudsons handwriting.
Very interesting case this said the
doctor, Joining bedford.
How is Johnson" This to Nurse Hud-
son.
Much better, DOCTOR" the nurse replied.
hastily.
Must have been bad, then" Hedford put
In. The man Is couatose now, or dead"