"Abingdon was
always eccentric, but he didn't know the meaning of fear."
"Once that may have been true," replied Harley. "But a great fear
was upon him when he came to me, Doctor McMurdoch, and if it is
humanly possible I am going to discover its cause."
"Go ahead," said Doctor McMurdoch and, turning to the side table,
he poured out two liberal portions of whiskey. "If there's
anything I can do to help, count me at your service. You tell me
he had fears about little Phil?"
"He had," answered Harley, "and it is maddening to think that he
died before he could acquaint me with their nature. But I have
hopes that you can help me in this. For instance"--again he fixed
his gaze upon the gloomy face of the physician--"who is the
distinguished Oriental gentleman with whom Sir Charles had
recently become acquainted?"
Doctor McMurdoch's expression remained utterly blank, and he
slowly shook his head. "I haven't an idea in the world," he
declared. "A patient, perhaps?"
"Possibly," said Harley, conscious of some disappointment; "yet
from the way he spoke of him I scarcely think that he was a
patient. Surely Sir Charles, having resided so long in India,
numbered several Orientals among his acquaintances if not among
his friends?"
"None ever came to his home," replied Doctor McMurdoch. "He had
all the Anglo-Indian's prejudice against men of colour." He
rested his massive chin in his hand and stared down reflectively
at the carpet.
Pages:
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47