round the red lamp(红灯四周)-第12章
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it。〃
〃You would have me simply write brutally and break the engagement
at the last moment without a reason。 I tell you I couldn't do it。〃
〃I had a patient once who found himself in a somewhat similar
situation some years ago；〃 said the doctor thoughtfully。 〃His device was
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a singular one。 He deliberately committed a penal offence； and so
compelled the young lady's people to withdraw their consent to the
marriage。〃
The young baronet shook his head。 〃My personal honour is as yet
unstained；〃 said he。 〃I have little else left； but that； at least； I will
preserve。〃
〃Well； well； it is a nice dilemma； and the choice lies with you。〃
〃Have you no other suggestion？〃
〃You don't happen to have property in Australia？〃
〃None。〃
〃But you have capital？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃Then you could buy some。 To…morrow morning would do。 A
thousand mining shares would be enough。 Then you might write to say
that urgent business affairs have compelled you to start at an hour's notice
to inspect your property。 That would give you six months； at any rate。〃
〃Well； that would be possible。 Yes； certainly； it would be possible。
But think of her position。 The house full of wedding presentsguests
coming from a distance。 It is awful。 And you say that there is no
alternative。〃
The doctor shrugged his shoulders。
〃Well； then； I might write it now； and start to… morroweh？ Perhaps
you would let me use your desk。 Thank you。 I am so sorry to keep you
from your guests so long。 But I won't be a moment now。〃
He wrote an abrupt note of a few lines。 Then with a sudden impulse
he tore it to shreds and flung it into the fireplace。
〃No； I can't sit down and tell her a lie； doctor；〃 he said rising。 〃We
must find some other way out of this。 I will think it over and let you
know my decision。 You must allow me to double your fee as I have
taken such an unconscionable time。 Now good…bye； and thank you a
thousand times for your sympathy and advice。〃
〃Why； dear me； you haven't even got your prescription yet。 This is
the mixture； and I should recommend one of these powders every morning；
and the chemist will put all directions upon the ointment box。 You are
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placed in a cruel situation； but I trust that these may be but passing clouds。
When may I hope to hear from you again？〃
〃To…morrow morning。〃
〃Very good。 How the rain is splashing in the street！ You have your
waterproof there。 You will need it。 Good…bye； then； until to…morrow。〃
He opened the door。 A gust of cold； damp air swept into the hall。
And yet the doctor stood for a minute or more watching the lonely figure
which passed slowly through the yellow splotches of the gas lamps； and
into the broad bars of darkness between。 It was but his own shadow
which trailed up the wall as he passed the lights； and yet it looked to the
doctor's eye as though some huge and sombre figure walked by a
manikin's side and led him silently up the lonely street。
Dr。 Horace Selby heard again of his patient next morning； and rather
earlier than he had expected。 A paragraph in the Daily News caused him
to push away his breakfast untasted； and turned him sick and faint while
he read it。 〃A Deplorable Accident；〃 it was headed； and it ran in this
way：
〃A fatal accident of a peculiarly painful character is reported from
King William Street。 About eleven o'clock last night a young man was
observed while endeavouring to get out of the way of a hansom to slip and
fall under the wheels of a heavy； two…horse dray。 On being picked up his
injuries were found to be of the most shocking character； and he expired
while being conveyed to the hospital。 An examination of his pocketbook
and cardcase shows beyond any question that the deceased is none other
than Sir Francis Norton； of Deane Park； who has only within the last year
come into the baronetcy。 The accident is made the more deplorable as
the deceased； who was only just of age； was on the eve of being married to
a young lady belonging to one of the oldest families in the South。 With
his wealth and his talents the ball of fortune was at his feet； and his many
friends will be deeply grieved to know that his promising career has been
cut short in so sudden and tragic a fashion。〃
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A FALSE START。
〃Is Dr。 Horace Wilkinson at home？〃
〃I am he。 Pray step in。〃
The visitor looked somewhat astonished at having the door opened to
him by the master of the house。
〃I wanted to have a few words。〃
The doctor； a pale； nervous young man； dressed in an ultra…
professional； long black frock…coat； with a high； white collar cutting off
his dapper side… whiskers in the centre； rubbed his hands together and
smiled。 In the thick； burly man in front of him he scented a patient； and
it would be his first。 His scanty resources had begun to run somewhat
low； and； although he had his first quarter's rent safely locked away in the
right…hand drawer of his desk； it was becoming a question with him how
he should meet the current expenses of his very simple housekeeping。
He bowed； therefore； waved his visitor in； closed the hall door in a
careless fashion； as though his own presence thereat had been a purely
accidental circumstance； and finally led the burly stranger into his scantily
furnished front room； where he motioned him to a seat。 Dr。 Wilkinson
planted himself behind his desk； and； placing his finger…tips together； he
gazed with some apprehension at his companion。 What was the matter
with the man？ He seemed very red in the face。 Some of his old
professors would have diagnosed his case by now； and would have
electrified the patient by describing his own symptoms before he had said
a word about them。 Dr。 Horace Wilkinson racked his brains for some
clue； but Nature had fashioned him as a ploddera very reliable plodder
and nothing more。 He could think of nothing save that the visitor's
watch…chain had a very brassy appearance； with a corollary to the effect
that he would be lucky if he got half…a…crown out of him。 Still； even half…
a…crown was something in those early days of struggle。
Whilst the doctor had been running his eyes over the stranger； the
latter had been plunging his hands into pocket after pocket of his heavy
coat。 The heat of the weather； his dress； and this exercise of pocket…
rummaging had all combined to still further redden his face； whic
