Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-11
CHAPTER XIV.
A Discovery.

The information that l had been able
to obtain concerning the men who did the
alterations at Overlook was confined to
the name of Johnson, and he, from his
clothes. was presumed TO be a mason.
The name of Johnson i'm the Boston di-
rectory ran into a list quite appalling in
length. and I took the addresses of nine
who were designated as masons, and of
five whose occupations was given as car
penter, while Milbrath looked up the only
"Summerfield' who appeared i'm the di-
rectory. He proved to be young. and was
ignorant of the existence of the man we
sought.
We decided to defer our first calls until
evening. and at the appointed hour We
found ourselves again waiting I'm DR..
Rice's outer Office. Almost Immediately
that gentleman appeared at the door and
motioned US into his consulting room.
4 think that / may be a trife helpful
! tonight, gentlemen. he said, extending
a strong square hand.
Il am rejoiced to have you say so. You
have recalled the case of Mr.. Francis
Somhers?"
and while am enabled to bring up only
f1eeting recollection of the man. | have
here some data concerning the case
AS he spoke the doctor drew from
drawer in his desk large, gray-covered
book. labeled conspicuousiy Records.
IS"
Il think Mr.. Bliss, that I am still in
doubt as TO just what kind OF information
you desire about Mr.. Somhers case"
1.-The nature of his malady for one
thing"
.Ah, that will be easily ascertained.
think. Here. Mr.. Francis Somhers,
United States Hotel First call made
January Il: patient expired ? pm sat
urday, September IS Cause, cardiac ste
nosis' In unprofessional English. gentle
men, a valvular disease of the heart.
"A lingering disease | suppose?
"Mr. Somhers appears TO have suffered
from it for years; ! nave mere memo
randum to that effect.
You recall Mr.. Somhers sufficiently
well to be certain that he died!
With a short forefinger marking line
DIR. Rice looked over his spectacles at
me. his round blue eyes wide in question
and surprise.
There can be no doubt that he died"
mo possibility that circulation was re-
stored after life appeared extinct?
81 do not know your purpose, Mr. Bliss,
In making these extraordinary inquiries.
/ can Only say that il is highly improb-
able that resuscitation was effected
Everything that science knew at that
time was probably done to save Mr. Som
hers. and. to my best knowledge and be-
lief. without avail II he has appeared
to be alive at any time since September
Is. 49,. | cannot explain the phenome-
non Is there any other point, Mr.. Bliss
Il
expression closely and they left no room
for reasonable doubt as TO his sincerity.
I observed that Milbrath was or IKE
mind.
"you have satisfied me fully" / re-
sponded 1T may interest you 10 nave
me explain that those nearest In KIN TO
the late Mr. Francis Somhers nave mao
some reason of late to feel that ne might
still be living, and If he be alive II Is OF
| the greatest conceivable importance that
| he be found"
| Dr. Rice closed the book or RECORDS ano
raniaced IL methodically in the drawer
| from which he had taken It,
May I ask whether you have seen the
/ man thought to be Mr.. Somhers
| II saw him once. but ii was after
| lost track of him that / first had occa-
sion to attach connection between nm
I and the Somhers family.
You showed me photograph OF MT.
Somhers Have you the picture with you
| this evening"?
CTo be continued tomorrow