The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-24


I SAW THAT HIS sUa- "a d Gu sion
GEsTIoN WAS COM which ended in a
Piled WITH. suggestion, rather
intimated than actually made, to the
effect that he should undertake an
autopsy upon the body of the next VIC
tim.
My companion drew his brows to-
'gether and looked seriously at the
fire.
"You think, gentlemen" he said AT
last, "that there is reasonable pros
poet of good results from such an ex-
perimentP"
IF made by you, yes" replied one of
our visitors, frankly.
Besides" put In the other, "do you
not think the dangers which the ear
lier efforts have made apparent could
be successfully guarded against by q
fully forewarned science?"
81 was not thinking of the danger"
said Fournier, slowly. "Of course
rhould need several assistants in order
to undertake such work with the
best prospects of success"
Permit me to offer myself" ex-
claimed the two physicians in breath.
THANK you, gentlemen" said Four
lnier, with some show of feeling. "Do
you not think we could also obtain
DIR. Toedts did? It would be invaluable
with his knowledge of the difficulties
ito be combated."
Beyond doubt he would feel highly
Hattered ut suoh nuggestion coming
from you," said the older of our visit
ors. "In faot, / may say that the idea of
10 new autopsy 10 be made by you is
largely his. Naturally, however, he
lhesitated to broach such subject, and
I do so myself only upon the distinct
understanding that should consider
you fully justified In ignoring it."
/ had been silent thus far. Now, how.
ever. said:
"Dr. Toedt seems TO think that tho
danger of an autopsy may be minimized
to next to nothing, but he frankly ad-
mits that his preventive tactics have
availed no better than his curative
ones In actual practice"
Fournier cut me short with:
''The question of risk. doctor, Is
hardly to be considered by u.s." Then,
turning to the others, he added: MAY
ask you to request DR.. Tocdt TO call
upon me at nine o'clock tomorrow
morning. / should be pleased to dis
cuss this matter with him."
When the two doctors had taken their
leave. Tournier turned to me.
You purchased the revolvers?" ho
asked.
nodded.
"Goodl Load them both and give me
one. Place the other In your pocket; be
In thjsroom by a quarter to nine to-mor-
row morning. and see that your nerves
are in good condition. BY the bye"
he added, as i bowed and turned to
fulfill his directions; "and will you
procure good coil of stout roper"
retired that night in q rather per-
turbed frame Of mind.
Morning broke, bright and cloudless,
and, at a few minutes after half-past
eight, entered the reception-room.
Fournier was pacing the floor with
quick, nervous strides.
"Ah, DOCTOR" he said, coming for
ward and grasped my hand. "You are
on time, / see. And now, may ask
you to help me make few prepara-
tions to receive our guest. We will
see him in the studio room"
The apartment alluded TO, was at the
top of the house and quite separated
from IL. 1t formed, in fact, sort of
a cupola, with sl,ylight roof, and had
been built for Paris artist who spent
some months Of each year In Arteuil.
by my friends directions / carried
upstairs the coil of rope had secured.
a Photographic camera, with several
curious attachments, stood at one end
of the room, and near IL was a deal
board table, behind which Fournier
seated himself, having first placed n
stout wooden chair under the middle
skylight for our expected visitor.
Scarcely had thrown myself upon a
corner divan, before Toedt was an
nounccd.
"llaye the goodness 20 request him
20 step up here" said Fournier.
A moment later my classmate en-
tered
l noted two things. One. that his
face was rather drawn and haggard.
and another, that the door had been
provided with a spring and an auto
matte catch, so that IL fell TO and
clicked fast behind him.
Naturally he took no account OF this,
end. having greeted US both, sat down