The Ordway new era., 1913-03-14
cnAprER xIII-contInusd.


This isn't anything like beri-beri.
is It, doctor?" 1 began. My ideas OF
the disease I mentioned were Of the
haziest character. l knew, however.
that It was common in the Orient, ana
thither would lead him.
''Oh. no. Mr.. Clyde" he answered.
suavely enough. now. "Beri-beri 10
merely the eastern name for multiple
neuritis, You haven't a neuritis or
you would know 1t. saw great deal
of beri-beri in China and on the Malay
peninsula"
DO remember to have heard Cam
eron say he contracted 1t in the east =
I asked, plunging for connection.
az don't recall that Cameron ever
had IT," was his response. And then
His brow grew thoughtful. Are you
sure he told you that he had; and that
he was attacked while in-in Asia!'
I noted his hesitation over fixing the
place, and wondered. At all events
had arrested his interest. Purposely
adopted tone Of uncertainty.
"N.n.no. can't say definitely. But
had an impression that" And there
/ paused. When continued It was
with the direct question: DO you hap
pen to know, doctor, whether Cameron
was ever in .Peking? 1t seems to me
It was"
"I do know that he was in Peking."
he interrupted. almost savagely. He
was in Picking. In September. 1908. To
be exact, he was there on the four
teenth day of that month. have rea-
son to know it-a particular reason
to know II"
After all, how easily the information
I craved had come to mel And yet
I would have been glad to hear the
contrary; for Cameron had assured
me, in all solemnity. that he had never
been in China, and 1t Jared upon my
conception Of the mans character to
discover that he had tried to deceive
me. could only conclude that his
purpose was praiseworthy. But DR..
Addison had not finished.
Tell mel" he was demanding. ca
gerly. Tell me! I have excuse for
asking. Has he ever admitted to you
that he was there?
Now come to think Of IT," I re-
turned, he hasn't. But I had tho In
formation from some one. am pretty
sure"
With an effort the physician COM
manded himself. When he spoke again
he was comparatively composed.
"Mr, Clyde" he said apologetically.
"I am not given 20 discussing personal
matters with my patients. but the fact
that you and Cameron are friends.
and the fact that this subject has
come up, make Il almost imperative.
I suppose, that should explain brief
ly the feeling I have Just exhibited.
Five years ago Rob Cameron and
wero about as near counterparts OF
Damon and Pythias as ever existed.
While Cameron was In Europe, had
an opportunity to go around tho world
with a patient. We dawdled a good
deal. and, you understand how unoer-
tain correspondence Is under those
circumstances. never knew jua
where I should be at any given time.
Consequently, number Of letters
were missed by both Of US. I was still
thinking of Cameron as in England or
on the European continent, when 10
and behold, I saw him one morning.
nurrying along the principal street Of
the inner city Of Peking. don't
know whether you have ever been
there or not, but II you have, you
know what that thoroughfare IL. 1t
was all hustle and activity that day.
and about as crowded as broadway at
the noon hour. but with much more
nkcturssque and contrasting currents