Evening star., 1922-05-21

slVe suites OF rooms IN that very
exclusive West End thorouehfare.
His rooms were perfect as bache-
lor's chambers. What q contrast to
that sordid house in Albany road,
Camberweli! His man-a Dutch
man. took him to be--was q per-
feet type Of manservant. while his
rooms were furnished with great
artistic taste and unstinted luxury.
1t was half-past nine when we
entered there, and threw myself
into q big, soft armchair, with q
large silver cigar-box at my elbow.
Presently, rs We were smoking and
gossiping, he said:
DO. you know. my dear LIE Queux,
I have often wondered why you
have never written a really thrilling
mystery story
looked at him quite straight. and
replied:
well, have written q good many
mystery stories, which have been
widely read. in many languages"
"Yes, know" he said. "You are
popular author-very popular
and have been SO for twenty years.
That's all right. But you have q new
public, and you must have new
ideas"
Are there any new ideas in the
world Of literature" I queried.
Yes, Of course Modern science has
many ideas. Electricity is only in
its infancy. wireless discoveries are
being made. and soon we shall know
the fourth dimension"
True" .aaid. "But what are you
suSgesting%
81 suggest that you should write a
really great medical novel. II you
will do 30 I will give you all the data
gratis" -
That's very good of you." I re-
piled. And I accept straight away.
What do you sugEest:"
"Ah! That's. rather. dificult," he
said feflectively, as he turned in his
chair to settle. himself more COM
fortably. "If you write sensational
ism the1plot must hinge. upon sud
den death. or death brought about
suddenly by sinister design"
Exactly" I~remarked. =
"weli. what. about describing the
doings Of a. doctor who is open for
bribery"
How" s. :..s.
II mean q man who, for a few
thousands. would give his patient q
little dose that in. the end must
prove fatal" was his reply. There
are lots Of people ready to pay q
doctor q thousand or two to get out
Of the way unkanted, relatives who
stand betwsen themselves land for
tune" 50: /; t
That IL not exactly . new idea. a
said. - -.
''I.. know that, But the trSatment
of the theme could be new, for your
character would. empty the newly
discovered poisons. as well ~ the
bacilIr- Of fatal diseases. The mode
OF admipistration must be one that
could never be traced"
Everything can now be discovered
by the. pathologist." I declared du-
biouS1y.
.I differ. Poison or. bacteria can
be. administered in. such q subtle
way-if one knows how to do it.
that It can defy, detection. ana death
10 attributed to- natural causes" hs
said. let us take an instance
Your. not. too scrupulous doctor, who
In = esdy to .Havs. his palm well oiled,
can easiiy. make q mistake in the
|. .mixtursss = he gives . patient. For
| tinGance. thsre- 10 . boy: say. q
Eton,. heir to-vast wealth. He re.
ceiveseA nasty kick at foot ball and
goes home. His uncle. who would
come In for the estate should any.
thing happen to the boy. is stayins
| In the house. The uncle thinks that
| the sore would quickly heal under Z
dooforC carss Ths doctor. dresses ths
wound, ANA; sends. . pot Of ointmehi
] - ~. = nnfieA mlrht and morning, In