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

'fThe question of risk, doctor, Is hardly to
be considered by us. " Then, stunning TO
quest DR.. Toedt to call upon ME at 8 o'clock
| tomorrow morning. should be pleased to
| discuss this matter with hims"ii
| When the two doctors had taken their
| leave, Fournier turned to me.y.f,
You purchased the revolxsrs?'' he ask
I nodded.
Good! Load them both and give me one.
Place the other in your pocheta be in this
| room by a S:45 tomorrow morning, and see
| that your nerves are in good condition.
| By the bye he added, as j bowed and
turned to fulfill his dire &c IONS, and will
L retired that night in rather perturbed
frame of mind.
Morning broke, bright and eloudless, and,
at few minutes after $50. entered the
Fourier was pacing the floor with quick
nervous strides.
"Ah, Doctor" he said. coming forward
and graspad my hand. You are on time,
I see. And now, may I ask you to help me
make few preparations to receive our
guest; We will see him in the studio
The apartment alluded to was at the
top of the house and quite separated from
IT.. 1t formed, in fact, sort of cupola,
with a skylight roof, and had been built
Tor Paris artist who spent some months
or each year in Arteuil
BY my friends directions carried up
stairs the coil of rope l had secured. A
Photographic camera, with several curious
attachments, stood at one. end of the room
and near it was a deal board table, be-
hind which Fourier seated himself, having
| frs. placed a stout wooden chair under
the middle skylight for our expected Wis
itor
Scarcely had thrown myself upon a cor
ner divan before Toedt was announced.
Have the goodness to request him to
step up here" said Fourier.
A mo, I,%So
1 noted two things. One, that his face
was rather drawn and haggard, and an
other, that the door had been provided with
a spring and an automatic catch, SO that
IL fell to and clicked fast behind him.
Naturally he took no account of this
and, having greeted US both, sat down upon
the only free chair in the room-that which
Fcurnler had placed for him. Then follow
ed what seemed to me an awkward silence
Il am here as you requested Prof Four
nier,' began Toedt at last.
understand DOCTOR said Fournier
that you have expressed opinions to the
erect that l should undertake an autopsy
upon the next victim of this epidemic"
by no MEANS" replied Toedt, quickly.
mat would be a piece of presumption of
Whlch trust you acquitted me at once
merely remarked that l believed a careful
autopsy by first-class pathologist might
give very valuable results. 1 would not
even go SO far as to believe it any mans
duty to undertake such a task If is nm
GU knew. though" said Fournier. stern
~ that what you said would be reported
10 me, and that. if l acquiesced in your
reasoning. l would consider it my duty to
Ignore the element of danger Pardon me
ior saying SO. but 1 consider your words in
TIE nature of direct challenge"
Il can only protest that they were not so
ih !yniI replied the visitor flushing.
WI! you act as one Of my assistants"
quefled Fournier, sharply.
Assuredly, SIR" said Toedt, after an
instant of almost imperceptible hesitation.
GU nave no suspicion of the nature and
origin or this disease that would render an
autopsy unnecessary?' was the next oues
tion. eA' aoes-
Il certainly have not" said Toedt. with q
caimness that surprised me. in view of tile
pointedness Of the Interrogation.
w nat would you say this VASE" MIR.
suso me questioner, still more sharply.
AS ne spoke, he drew from the drawer Of
tEe table small tray containing fra~
lnents of thin glass with several .fIuffs Of
COTTON adhering to them. 81
should say replied Toedt, Weighing
edch word with cool deliberation. thai
VIVA you have there are the rim stopner
am fragments of a germ-culture tube
on are perfectly correct, said Four-
'.ieI, ana imagined that b., .~o seemed