The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-03-14

to shift the responsibility to other
shoulders. had small excuse TO
make for myself in confounding Nc
NIsh with Cameron, yet confess
had much less for the family physi-
clan. who had been so easily deceived
DR.. Massey greeted me almost jo-
vially. but checked himself as he OBJ
served the seriousness. the GOODNESS
even. of my manner
Our our paient is not worse?
he questioned, taken aback.
NO. doctor" | answered. tempted
70 grim humor.. that would be i'm
possible, | fancy"
For a second he regarded me with
frowning incomprehension.
Our patient" ! repeated with a
sarcastic emphasis that could not be
misunderstood. long ago. ] fancy
reached the limit of blackguardism. >
The doctors eyes widened his lips
parted and he stood aghast
"But-but-I don't quite see" he
stammered. You have quarreled with
Mr. Cameron? You have"
mo. no. | returned. interrupting
him. Would to God | had him here
to quarrel with. Miss Graystn was
right The man You have beeE- using
your skill upon is no more Robert
Cameron than I am"
hardly knew whether to be irritat.
ed or amused by that which followed.
DR.. Massey threw back his head and
roared with boisterous laughter.
"Ha, Ha. Ha. That's the rich
est kind OF a joke, my dear fellow"
be exclaimed. as his mirth subsidized.
Not Robert Cameron? Why. do you
know. Mr. Clyde, how many years |
have been his physician? No. OF
course you don't. Ten years and over,
and | know Cameron as | know my.
self"
Then tell me-" said irritation
having its way. why on earth he
ever had the initials ID. NJ. ". tattooed
on his left arm?"
The doctors quick changes OF ex-
preston were becoming an interest
ing study The smile which had lin
|; gered after the laughter now gave
way to a lowered brow and pursed
lips.
"A tattoo mark on his left arm?''
he repeated slowly. There's no such
thing there
But there is" insisted; there Is.
at least. ON the left arm OF the man
you've been treating"
DR. Massey was still thoughtful.
There is some mistake" he decid-
ed
NO. there Is no mistake | as
sured him. Miss Grayson's eyes
were better than either yours or mine
She saw at once that this outlaw was
not her uncle. and you and | fancied
we knew better. II you are still un-
convinced. doctor. I'll run You up in
my car, which is at the door. and
you shat satisfy yourself. Meanwhile
I'll give you some OF the confirma-
tory evidence
He went with me; and to him and
O'IIara. at the same tin.e, related
the dumfounding occurrences OF the
previous night.
And what did this McNish say"
the doctor inquired. when had I'm
ished. did he admit the masque-
rade?"
"Ile became delirious. There was
no getting a sensible word from him
Ny own idea is that the delirium was
feigned "
Possibly"
Isn't It equally possible, doctor
asked that he has been feigning
since the tirst?"
mo" was his answer "a don't
his symptoms. when conscious. TO
gain time: but II he had been able to
think clearly he would have secured
that letter before last night. You may
rest assured that that was the first
opportunity lie had, after regaining
the power of thought continuity And
STILL" he continued. II am not en-
tirely convinced that he is not Rob
ert Cameron If il Is merely a resem
blance. as you claim. then II is the
most remarkable case OF likeness that
| have ever encountered Moreover
there is one thing we must not lose
sight of His abductors. as has been
demonstrated by everything they have
done. are an unusually clever and
cunning lot OF men. To counterfeit
age. so tar as the tattoo mark is con
cerned, Is not so difficult as you might
imagine; and ! should have to see the
scar before admitting that IL is not Of
recent origin. The letter might have
been forgery, or real letter, Sc
cured and placed In Cameron's pocket
for this very purpose. And hypnotic
suggestion would easily explain his de
sire to secure and destroy II. The use
OF a foreign tongue In his dement's
even. could be accounted for in the
same way"
Il was natural that Or. Massey
should exert his ingenuity to reconcile
these DIVERGENT points. To him u
seemed. as II had 10 me. that mis-
take az to the Identity OF the patient
was incredible. but now I simply
shook my head In negation.
A. L.. Il