Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-28


doctor" he sad. placing his hand IA
military upon my shoulder. ARE you
minded to take part in little adventure
that lies before me?''
with the greatest pleasure in the
world" 1 exclaimed.
Il will not conceal from you," he contin-
ued, seriously, that there is considerable
danger involved.
You are "oing to face it?' queried
He nodded.
Then see no reason why I should not ~
l sad, unless you would intimate that l
possess less courage than yourself
You see. l was young, and inclined to be
over-senstive in those days.
Not at all. he replied, kindly. Il have
been requested to undertake this task I'M
der circumstances that admit of no hon
orable refusal. Otherwise, 1 very much
doubt
and H. interrupted. "have been placed
in precisely the same position
''Well, welI,' he said. I'VE will not quar-
rel in the dark. 1t IS Only fair that 1 should
explain the situation. The fact is, 1 have
been askedsby the ministry to go to AR.
teGil and investigate this new epidemic
And you dream for moment that
would hesitate to accompany your 1 ex-
claimed.
No he said, and then, after short
pause. but am not sure whether 1 want
yCu-
THAT IS altogether a secondary cons:d-
erat-on,' l cried, gayiy. Permit me to
L
set out?'
Tomorrow morning." he replied, alb
sently, but at the same time graSping my
hand.
\ few minutes later he left the room,
and 1 sat down to ponder over the situation
and to consider what l should need to take
with me.
The town Of Arteuil was one of those
places which had shot up within the last
decade. Situated in the midst of a large
manufacturing district, it formed a sort of
oasis in the desert of hideous factories and
toil-sodden humanity. The country round
about was flat and uninterestiHg. but Ar
teuil itself lay among little nest of hills
which afforded fresh cool air and a prospect
at once attractive and salubrious. 1t had
been selected, therefore, by several of the
large mill owners for their summer homes
These had been followed by others, until
the place now contained a large number
OF magnificent residences surrounded by
Well laid out parks.
Such a population of course, attracted
the usual quota of tradesmen, mechanics,
and SO forth, and an active and Furnishing
town had resulted from the desire of few
manufacturing magnates to have their
pleasures somewhere near their business
interests.
1t was scarcely a month since this
charming spot had given birth to an cpl
demtc which bade fair to more than deci-
mate its population, and which had utterly
bafied local and eXtra-local professional
skill. No one seemed to know how it had
ana, worse yet, had
found any method of fighting it that prom
ised, much less accomplished, the most
modest success.
This was the situation when, on the
morning following our conversation, Prof
Fourier and myself took our seats in the
compartment which had been especially
reserved for our use, and saw Paris drop
bebind US, as the train ratified out into the
country.
For while we sat in silence which he
was first to break.
Have you followed especially the ac-
counts of this Arteuil epidemic?" he asked
Closely" 1 said, bowling.
Have you noticed the curious features
connected with it?''
Il hardly know what you refer to-"
replied, impressed by the seriousness of his
manner. 1T is, of course, most rema rka BILE
in this epoch that disease unknown to
the faculty should suddenly break out and
rage within such circumscribed limits.
All! you are approaching the point
wish to make" he said, eagerly. Have
you not observed something very remark
able about those limits?'
l stopped and thought for a moment
Then 1 seemed to catch his idea.
why, yes" / said, now that you speak
of it. it is remarkable that the disease has
seized upon and confined itself to what
should be the most healthy town in the en-
tire province. 1t must come from some
thing in the water supply 1 added, with
sudden conviction.
You follow me in part" he continued,
but if you had considered the reports a
little more closely you would not have
drawn your last conclusion. You would
have noticed that not only was the disease
confined to the healthiest town, but that it
was practically confined to what ought to
be the healthiest portion of the town. Look
at the list of deaths. 1t is not b, the
draper; j.: the butcher, and c., the
plumber: 1t Is NJ de l.. owner of the
chemical works at c. 1t is Mile. c..
only daughter of M. c., general manager
OF the P print mills. or Nine. D. and
NJ. Jules D, wife and youngest son of
the Junior partner of V & D, the
great silk manufacturers. Will you give
me any rational explanation of this phe-
nomenoa?"
1 shook my head, deeply puzzled by the
proposition.
Furthermore" he continued, ARE you
positive that the disease is new?"
Certainly not" 1 fastened to say. Il
cannot for moment presume it to be. l
merely said that it had not heretofore been
diagnosed by the faculty."
DO you recall those cases at Montre-
vault two years ago?' he asked.
With something of an effort remember
cd the three Or four cases he referred to
and that their described symptoms had
closely resembled those of the disease now
ravaging .Arteuil. called his attention,
however, to the fact that the MontreW,ult
cases had not been seen by any but second
rate country practitioners.
do you include your classmate Toedt
In that category he asked, smiling faint
1y.
Il confess had forgotten that Toed. was
at Montrevault.' said. "He Is at Arteuil,
too, Is he not, fighting the disease there ?''
Prof Fourier inclined his head
He Is q brave fellow" I continued, ard
his experience, under the. circums tances,
must be invaluable"
He does not succeed, though. any better
than anyone else," remarked Tournior.
It's curious thing, too he added, half
haf o1l ha viz
vault wore members of the family of Count
&c G., the late minister OF war. This
epidemic is certainly an aristocratic COM
plant, Ike govt"
and, as they had given me much food for
reflection, I did not try to renew tho con-
versation. Half an honr later, he broke
suddenly in upon my thoughts with a re-
mark to the effect that h.bor troubles SEEM
ed to have decidedly increased since the
death of Count de c. and the cessation