Evening star., 1925-04-05

ushered the sergeant and his com
panion past a line of waiting and dis
approving patients into his inner
office. He greeted Ryan cordially,
and the Englishman had a chance to
observe the man who, according to
the sergeant stood at the head of
his profession.
A huge man, several inches above
feet, and wide in proportion, with a
tremendous red beard. bold blue eyes
that were slightly protruding, and
great scimiter of a nose, he looked
more like the reincarnation Of an
ancient Viking than practitioner
of medicine. There was something
about him that seemed to suggest
elemental undisciplined forces and
that was not at all like man of
healing. He seemed destructive. not
constructive. But his manner, bland
and soothing, assorted better with
his profession than his appearance.
He greeted the Englishman cour-
teously, and when Ryan had explained
their presence, his protrudihg eyes
looked interestedly at his new pa
t1ent, and not without kindness or
its close stimulation.
Strip" said Conkling. The Eng
lishman obeyed him. Twenty min
utes later his physician ordered him
to put on his clothes. While he was
doing so. and for an hour thereafter,
Conkltng questioned him on every
conceivable subject. At the end of
that time he confessed himself baffied
yours is a most unusual case. Or
dinarily, in cases of aphasia or am
nesia, there are abnormal symptoms
that go along with the disease itself
But in your case there is absolutely
~
forgotten your identity. 1 have ques-
toned you in every possible way of
which 1 can think. But none of those
questions seems, to strike a note upon
the chords of memory. Physically,
you are in perfect condition. Men
tally, aside from this blank spot in
your brain, you are one of the most
alertly intelligent patients 1 have
ever examined. I imagine that we
must publish discreet advertisements,
hoping in that way to find your fam
lily. The sight of your father, or
brother or sister. or even an ordinary
acquaintance, would probably do more
for you than all the medical treat
ments in the world"
What reason do you assign for my
condition. asked the patient.
DR.. Conkling shrugged his massive
shoulders. "A great grief, a pro-
longed mental strain, the after-effects
Of severe illness. or a blow would
induce your condition. That is why
I'm puzzled Your physical condition
indicates that you have suffered none
Of these. Except possibly a blow"
But you can't find even the slight
est trace of a blow upon me-" object
ed the Englishman.
That is true" admitted the physi-
clan. But the blow might have been
suffered a long time ago, and its
effect be felt only now. You have
nothing to worry about. / assure
you that the trouble will go no deep
er than 1t lies now. Unless my en-
tire professional experience is at
fault, your condition, if it changes in
any way, will do so for the better"
That's not very encouraging. is it?'
commented the Englishman.
II can't work miracles" said Conk-
ling "If you were highly nervous, or
If your physical condition were bad, l
would not hesitate to recommend an
operation. Somewhere in the skull
piece of bone is pressing upon your
brain. But, without knowing where
the spit is-its approximate position
we would have to rely entirely upon
X-rays l would not care to do so in
Then you can do nothing for me?"
asked the patient.
Il suggest that you advertise, said
the doctor.
The patient stared at him. What
sort of man would you take me to
be, 'doctor?"
@"You mean your character?" asked
the doctor.
Exactly" said the Englishman.
CONKLING'S eyes half-veiled them
~ selves behind lids whose veinous
redness lent a terrifying aspect to his
countenance.
Your features would indicate that
you are a man of imagination and
recklessness Your body bears. two
scars Either or both might have
been wounds received during the war
Unquestionably you were of the mill
tary age. But they might have been
received in brawls of one sort or
another. My only reason for think
ing this latter is the fact that your
right hand has been broken In two
places. They are exactly the sort OF
breaks that might have been caused
by the delivery of a blow by the hand.
Your complexion indicates that you
have lived greatly out of doors. 1
should sum up by saying that you
probably have an adventurous and
reckless nature"
But my morals, Doctor?"
Conkling lifted his lids. Il would
say. my friend, that you are not a
man scrupulous in the ordinary sense
Of the word"
The Englishman nodded. That's
what I'm getting at, Doctor. Suppose
that advertising for my friend should
bring me enemies?'
You are not speaking at random"
said the doctor.