“Shameful!” I cried. “What motive, what reason can they have for
denouncing _him?_”
“He is under suspicion--that is enough.”
“Great heaven!” I exclaimed. “Have we reached such a pass as that?”
“Don’t,” she uttered, hoarsely; “don’t reason; don’t talk; act.”
“I will,” I cried, and rushed from the room.
She fell back in a chair, almost fainting. I saw her lying quiet, inert
and helpless as I rushed by her door on my way to the street, but I did
not stop to aid her. I knew she would not suffer it.
The police are practical, and my tale was an odd one. I found it hard,
therefore, to impress them with its importance, especially as in trying
to save Miss Calhoun I was necessarily more or less incoherent. I
did succeed, however, in awakening interest at last, and, a man being
assigned me, I led the way to Madame’s door. But here a surprise awaited
me. The doorplate, which had so attracted my attention, was gone, and
in a few minutes we found that she had departed also, leaving no trace
behind her.
This looked ominous, and with little delay we hastened to the office of
Dr. Merriam. Knocking at the usual door brought no response, but when
we tried the further one, by which his patients usually passed out, we
found ourselves confronted by the gentleman we sought.
His face was calm and smiling, and though he made haste to tell us that
we had come out of hours, he politely asked us in and inquired what he
could do for us.
Not understanding how he could have forgotten me so soon, I looked at
him inquiringly, at which his face lighted up, and he apologetically
said:
“I remember you now. You were here this morning consulting me about a
friend who is afflicted with a peculiar complaint. Have you anything
further to state or ask in regard to it. I have just five minutes to
spare.”
“Hear this gentleman first,” said I, pointing to the officer who
accompanied me.
The doctor calmly bowed, and waited with the greatest self-possession
for him to state his case.
The officer did so abruptly.
“There is a box in your ante-room which I feel it my duty to examine. I
am Detective Hopkins, of the city police.”
The doctor, with a gentleness which seemed native rather than assumed,
quietly replied:
“I am very sorry, but you are an hour too late.” And, throwing open the
door of communication between the two rooms, he pointed to the table.
_The box was gone_!