The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-04
CHAPTER XVIII


TUESDAY, Sept. IL; 8 P. M
ITEM minutes later we were ring
Il ing the bell of stately old
brownstone house in E. Forty
Fourth st.
A resplendently caparisoned
butler opened the door, and Mark
ham presented his card.
Take this to the doctor at once,
and say that it's urgent"
1.-The doctor is just finishing din
ner," the stately seneschal informed
him; and conducted us into a rich
ly furnished reception-room, with
deep comfortable chairs, Silken
draperies, and subdued lights.
"a typical gynecologistS seraglio,"
observed Vance, looking around.
I'm sure the paSha himself is a
majestic and elegant parsonage"
The prediction proved true. Doc
tor Lindquist entered the room a
moment later inspecting the district
attorneys card as if it had been a
cuneiform inscription whose i'm
port he could not quite decipher.
He was tall man in his late
forties, with bushy hair and eye
brows, and a complexion abnormal
ly pale.
His face was long, and, despite
the asymmetry of his features, he
might easily have been called hand
some.
He was in dinner clothes and he
carried himself with the self
conscious precision of man unduly
impressed with his own Importance
He seated himself at kidney
shaped desk of carved mahogany
and lifted his eyes with polite in
quiry to Markham.
ITO what am I indebted for the
honor of this call?" he asked in
studiously melodious voice, linger-
ing over each word careSsingly.
"You are most fortunate to have
found me in" he added, before
Markham could speak. II confer
with patients only by appointment.
One felt that he experienced a
certain humiliation at having re-
ceived us without elaborate cere-
monial preliminaries.
Markham, whose nature was, OPP
posed to all circumlocution and pre-
tense, came direct to the point.
"This isn't professional con-
sultation, doctor; but it happens
that 1 want to speak to you about
one of your former patients-a Miss
Margaret Odell."
Doctor Lindquist regarded the
gold paper-weight before him with
vacantly reminiscent eyes.
"Ah yes. Miss Odell. I was just
reading of her violent end. A most
unfortunate and tragic affair.
I'm just what way can 1 be OF
service to you?-You understand of
course, that the relationship between
physician and his patient is one Of
sacred confidence"
IT understand that thoroughly,
Markham assured him abruptly.
ION the other hand, it is the sac
red duty of every citizen to assist
the authorities in bringing muir
derer to justice. And if there is any,
thing you can tell me which will
help toward that end, I shall car
tainly expect you to tell me-"
The doctor raised his hand Slight
ly in polite protestation.
IT shall, of course, do all I can
to assist you, if you will but indi-
cate your desires"
There's no need to beat about
the bush, DOCTOR" said Markham.
It know that Miss Odell was a pa
tent of yours for a long time; and
I realize that it is highly possible,
not to say probable, that she told
you certain personal things which
may have direct bearing on her
death"
But, my dear Mr.. doctor
Lindquist glanced, ostentatiously at
the CARD h-Markham my rela-
tions with Miss Odell we're of a
purely professional character"
ct had understood, however" VEN