The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-25


intended to say on the subject. The
next morning saw that his suggestion
was complied with. for | knew he was
not a man to speak such words lightly.
That night. two of the leading prac-
titioners who had come to Arteuil
called upon Fournier. and long ms
cussion of the situation and prospects
ensued--a discussion which ended III II
suggestion rather intimated than ac-
tually made. to the effect that he should
undertake an autopsy upon the BODY
Of the next victim.
My companion drew his brows to-
gether and looked seriously at the
fire.
You think. gentlemen" he said at
last, that there is a reasonable pros
pect of good results from such an en-
PERTINENT
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 a
fully forewarned science
II was not thinking of the danger
said Fournier. slowly. 'Of course l
should need several assistants In order
to undertake such a work with the best
prospects of success
claimed the two physicians in a breath.
Thank you, gentlemen" said Four
nier with some show of feeling. do
you not think we could also obtain
DR.. Toedt's aid? 1t would be Invaluable
with his knowledge of the difficulties
to be combatted."
BEYOND doubt he would feel highly
fattered at such a suggestion coming
from you" said the older of our visit
4 thnt hn
of a new autopsy to be made by you is
largely his. Naturally. however, he
hesitated To broach such subject. and
| do so myself only upon the distinct
understa nding that / should consider
you fully justified in ignoring it,
had been silent thus far. Now, how
ever. | said:
.Dr. Toedt seems to think that the
danger of an autopsy may be minim-
lied to next to nothing. but he frankly
admits that his preventive tactics have
availed no better than his curative
ones in actual practice"
Fourier cut me short with:
The question of risk. doctor. Is
hardly TO be considered by us" Then.
turning to the others, he added: May
| ask you to request Dr. Toedt to call
upon me at nine o'clock tomorrow
morning. ! should be pleased to dis
cuSS this matter win MIN.
When the two doctors had taken their
leave, Fournier turned to me.
you purchased the revolvers?" he
asked.
nodded.
Good. Load them both and give me
one. Place the other in your pocket;
be in this room by a quarter to nine
tomorrow morning and see that your
nerves are in good condition. by the
| bye" he added. as bowed and turned
to fulfill his directions; and will you
procure good coil of stout rope2'
| j retired that night in rather per-
turbed frame of mind.
Morning broke. bright and cloudless,
and. at 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. 4 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 it. 1t formed, in fact. a sort or a
cupola, with a skylight roof. and had
been built for a Paris artist who spent
some months of each year in Arteuil.
BY my friends directions l carried
upstairs the coil of rope I had secured
A Photographic camera. with several
curious attachments. stood at one end
of the room, and near it was a deal
board table. behind which Fournier
seated himself. having first placed a
stout wooden chair under the middle
skylight for our expected visitor.
Scarcely had I thrown myself upon a
corner divan before Toedt was an
nounced.
Have gthe goodness to request him
to step up here" said Fournier
a moment later my classmate en-
tered.
/ noted two things. One. that his
face was rather drawn and haggard,