The Jennings daily record., 1902-12-26

house, where they undressed and put
him to bed Nine. Jullette, in present
ing the soaked garments to the blaze Of
roaring fire. turned the coat upside
down, and from one Of the pockets
dropped folded sheet Of paper. which
opened as It fell. Juliette picked it up.
ran her eye over the writing It con-
tained, and for a moment stood petrl-
ned with dismay. Then, In panic
stricken voice, she called to Saturnien.
and handed him the letter. This is
what he read:
Dear Doctor-Please take the next
train to Varenne and call there on one
of our employees, M. Louis Saturnien,
1O6 Rue du Col0mbier. have just re-
ceived word that painful swelling Of
the great toe prevents his coming to
the Office to-day. Kindly make an
examination to-day and impart to me
at your earliest convenience your dag
nosis Of this most remarkable case
"Sincerely. p. APERASSE."
"Heavens" cried Saturnien. aghast.
"A messenger from the ministry must
have delivered this note. All. why did
he not break his neck7" This wish
must have referred to the messenger,
tor pointing to the bearer:
''As for him." he said. ''he can come
to life OF not. as he pleases. I am 60
ing to change my clothes"
When DR.. Bonenfat recovered con-
sciousness the first person he perceived
was the sympathetic Saturnien bend.
ing solicitously over him.
ut 10 you who have saved my life
I thank you."
Saturnien and his wife had formed a
daring scheme which reposed upon the
probability Of the doctors having NO
knowledge Of his rescuer's identity.
In pursuance Of this saturnien made
reply:
tut, tut. my dear patient not .
word about debt between fellow prac.
titioners like ourselves"
The doctor raised himself upon his
elbow.
"You are q physician, thenr' he
asked.
"Dr. Salolles. Of varenne at your
service" Saturnien responded. in as
firm voice as lie could command.
"Ah, my dear colleague. Heaven has
placed you in my path. How can I
thank you for the service you have
rendered me: am DR.. Bonenfat, Of
Paris, an ass who doesn't know any
better than to fall into the river on
his first visit to Varenne. BY the
way. speaking Of Varenne. am look
Av.n Eov SvQN
me to 100 Rue du Colombier?"
Rue du Colombier? repeated Sa-
turnien slowly. in order to gain time
for reflection; "hm-hm, that's quite
at the other end Of the town-a new
road cut through-utterly impossible
for stranger to find his way"
But I am called there on a very
important matter; certain Louis Sa-
turnien is passing himself of Oh mis-
employers as disabled. and my mis-
sion is to investigate his case and ex-
pose him.
"Be quite at ease, my dear doctor;
I know this Saturnien and will gladly
attend to the matter for you"
':Most good Of you, my dear COL
league: but unfortunately, must turn
in my report to the ministry to-mor-
row morning."
"No trouble about that at all; shall
send you my diagnosis SO that you will
receive it tonight. / caution you as a
physician and a friend not to exert
yourself unnecessarily. You are in
urgent need Of rest
''Very well,' acquiesced the doctor;
"but be sure and handle the fellow as
he deserves: swollen great toe-non-
sense! The rascal is simply trying to
steal n day from his employers. Be
pitiless. implacable. ferocious!'
Relieved and confident, DR.. Bonen-
fant took his leave.
Now it happened that early that
morning DR.. Salolles had gone to Paris
to purchase some furniture, and on his
return to Varenne had ordered an ex
pressman to take goods to his house,
1O6 Rue du Colombier?" He was over
heard by severe looking individual
who was standing near, who marched
impetuously up to DR.. Salolles and
laid rough grasp on his collar.
"uow-what's this?' demanded the
doctor. facing around Indignantly;
'take your hand of my collar. mon
sieur. and your foot off my great toe"
"Ah, yes; your great toe!" sneered
the other, who was no other than DR..
Bonenfant on his way back to Paris.
$50 you live ut No. 1O6 Rue du Col
ombier?"
II do-let me go. OF I'll"
DR.. Bonenfant rushed for his train.
brandishing an angry fist at Salolles.
When Saturnien reported for duty
next day he received a document
wherein were set forth the ministry's
reasons for pronouncing upon him the
sentence OF three months suspension
Of salary. s.s-s~