The San Francisco call., 1913-10-04
- 3 The Doctors Duel - - .
A THRILLING NOVELETTE,. CoMPLETE

ments. For a moment he held the
pill up to the light to examine 1t.
Then. throwing back his head. he
swallowed it quickly. Turning to the
Doctor, he remarked politely:
Now, monsieur, 1t Is your turn, if
you please
Biting his lips to hide his emotion,
the little man stretched out his hand,
and the other pill shared the same
fate as the first.
WAITING THE END.
Nothing now remained but to wait
for the symptoms of poisoning. which,
according to the Doctor, would make
themselves known in about quarter
of an hours time. Upon all present
fell a heavy silence. broken only by
an occasional remark in a low voice
from one of the seconds. Every in
slant anxious eyes were directed to-
ward the clock. The little Doctor had
thrown himself into a chair. But for
a slight loss of color he betrayed no
consciousness of the terrible danger
in which he was involved.
Kissing little air between his
teeth. Leblanc crossed leisurely to the
French window and looked out.
Never had the world seemed more
beautiful and alluring; never had life
hope and gladness. Like a splash OF
molten gold fell the suns hot beams
on the closely-shaven lawn, touching
with fire the crimson-leafed gerani-
ums, inspiring the birds with extern
poraneous song.
Suddenly he spun round and faced
them. his hand pressed over his heart,
a CHASTITY smile on his lips.
"Monsieur''-and his breath came
quick and short-'T congratulate you.
This pill at least will cure all human
Ills
He swayed a moment. then crashed
his body's length to the floor. They
rushed to him-all but Monsieur Jules
Dumas One of the latter's friends
was doctor. Kneeling down, he put
his ear to the Chevalier's breast.
There is no hope" he announced,
raising his head. I'm few minutes
he will be dead. I know the signs.
No earthly medicine would restore
him now
you are mistaken. monsieur.
They looked round quickly and
49, 1..+lo noc+or He wa q srril-
ing. but triumph was not mingled
with his expression Of ease.
You said, Monsieur
II said. Monsieur lie Compte, that
nv friend was mistaken. There is an
antidote to the poison, and it is here"
little white phial glittered in his
hand.
stupefed, the four other men looked
into each others faces.
well. do you wish to save his
Iife?'' questioned the little man i'm
patiently.
"But-but," stammered Vernon, IF
you had taken the fatal pill
II should have died. for no one but
myself knows of the existence Of any
counter poison. BY your leave, mes
sieurs."
He pushed through them. and bend
ing over the dying man, forced open
his teeth with the one hand, while
with the other he poured the contents
of the phial through his ashen lips.
The effect was quick and startling.
The deadly pallor of the cheeks was
replaced by a healthy flush, and the
breathing became full and regular.
In turn the four men standing
round embraced the doctor long and
cordially.
For any remarks / may have
made" said the Count earnestly.
(which has led you to suppose that
have doubted your courage, monsieur,
/ do now most sincerely offer thou
sand apologies. You are brave
man, monsieur. and / am proud and
honored to have met YOU"
When he was alone again. the doc
tor took from his pocket little
silver toothpick. With this he pro-
ceeded to probe the cavity of hol-
low tooth. After little patient ex-
cavatiof1, he extracted a white pulp.
AS he threw it in the firegrate, he
smiled complacently at his reflection
in the opposite mirror.