Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-01-27
CHAPTER XII.

CHAFIth ALI
A week passed. DR.. Lampkin had not
seen Hendricks since the day following
the discovery of the crime. Lampkin,
however, had watched the papers and
knew that nothing Of vital interest con-
corning the mystery had been made
public. He believed that his friend was
still cropping in the dark, else he would
have come to him to let off some of his
enthusiasm. Hendricks always came
Just before a climax or when one was
about to be reached.
DR.. Lampkin was q very busy man
on the days of the week that it was pos
sible for patients to consult him. He had
never allowed his profession to encroach
upon his freedom, and so sign Oh his
door read as follows: "Dr. Lampkin
may be consulted Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays. Office hours, 8 a. m. to
p. M"
His fame for curing nervous and i'm.
aginary ailments, drunkenness and the
morphine habit through hypnotic sug-
gestion had spread all over America,
and he was often SO busy that he had to
have three or four assistants. Today his
anteroom was full Of people waiting
their turns, and Lampkin was admit
ting them, examining, treating and dis
missing them as rapidly as possible.
They sat in O row, those nearest the
office door coming first. Once or twice
in looking into the waiting room to an
nounce that it was another's turn the
doctor noticed an old gray headed man
among the others. He sat holding
folded paper in his trembling hand and
took pains to allow those who had come
later than himself to go in before him.
afraid of me-" thought the doctor,
with smile. He looks superstitious.
1t was near closing time, SO Lampkin
ordered the Office boy to shut the outer
door and to admit no one else. The old
man was the last patient, and the fact
that he was left alone in the waiting
room seemed to brighten him more than
ever. When the Office boy closed and
locked the door, he sprang up, took hold
of the knob and pulled at it excitedly.
"The doctor will see you in mill
ute," said an assistant, who had taken
his hat to 90 out. "Sit down and wait
for him."
~ believe I'll come back tomorrow"
stammered the old man. Il can wait.
I'm in no hurry"
"Wait moment" urged the assist
ant. lyon look nervous. DR.. Lampkin
will not hurt you. He does not even
give medicine. You have nothing to be
afraid of. F"
The old man seemed only partially
treasured. He resumed his seat, his eyes
bent alternately on the outer door and
the one opening into the Office. The as.
sistant sat down to keep him company,
holding his hat and gloves in his hands.
He tried to draw the old man into con-
versation, but the effort was futile.
When DR.. Lampkin opened the door and
motioned for him to enter, he began to
tremble violently.
lit is your turn now" said the doc
tor. smiling genially. Come in. I
won t hurt you. What is your trouble?'
The old man made no response. His
eyes were fixed on the floor. A close OBJ
server and suspicious one might have
noticed that the long white beard and
hair were false. Seeing the paper in his
hand, DR.. Lampkin took it.
els this for me?" he asked.
The old man nodded. eyes" he said
in a queer, piping voice. my son
wrote it and told me to bring it to you"
The doctor opened it. 1t ran as fol-
lows:
DR.. Lampkin:
DEAR SIR-Having heard a great deal about
your wonderful skill in curing imaginary dis
eases, have decided TO send my father to you.
He has the idea firmly fixed III his mind that
early in life while drinking from brook on
his farm he swallowed u small snake. He be-
Leves that it has grown to be pretty large one
and that it Is eating up his food. Indeed, my
father has an enormous appetite. 1t Is hardly
ever satisfied. Do what you can for him, and
the bill shall be paid on presentation to me-
feel that you can do more for him than all the
regular physicians put together Yours truly
JAMES FRITZ LINTON.
"Ah, seel" said DR.. Lampkin, ad-
dressing the old man and motioning his
assistant to retire. "Your son writes
me that you swallowed small snake
when you were young and that it is
now giving you some trouble.
The old man looked up suddenly, and
his eyes flashed Indignantly.
"Ah, he told you that, did he? He
admits to you that have the snake and
yet he has been lying to me about it for
the last ten years. shall 60 home and
give him a good licking. He knows l
can't read, or he wouldn't have wrote
it,"
The patient rose suddenly, as if to
leave.
"Be calm," said Lampkin. "He was
doing it for your good. AS for myself,
l believe in being frank about such
things. or course you have it, but l can
remove it without any trouble. Come
into my office, y
Il am little uneasy about it," said
the old man as he followed the doctor
into the other room. 81 have had it so
long that | am afraid I'd he sort Of
well, reckon there would be al empty
place left where it usually stays, which
might feel rather uncomfortable. even
If it does seem to get more good out of
my victuals than do. :"
Lampkin bit his lip and turned aside
to hide smile,
''Sit in this big chair" he said.
your trouble is a very common one
nowadays" he went on, to prepare the
mind Of his patient for hypnotism.