"Well, madame?" he said, when I was seated in his inner office.
He was a tall, elderly man, immaculately groomed, and formal and
precise in his manner. "Dr. Overton," I began, "my friend, Mrs.
Douglas van Tuiver writes me that you are going to Florida shortly."
"That is correct," he said.
"I have come to see you about a delicate matter. I presume I need
hardly say that I am relying upon the seal of professional secrecy."
I saw his gaze become suddenly fixed. "Certainly, madame," he said.
"I am taking this course because Mrs. van Tuiver is a very dear
friend of mine, and I am concerned about her welfare. It has
recently come to my knowledge that she has become exposed to
infection by a venereal disease."
He would hardly have started more if I had struck him. "HEY?" he
cried, forgetting his manners.
"It would not help you any," I said, "if I were to go into details
about this unfortunate matter. Suffice it to say that my information
is positive and precise--that it could hardly be more so."
There was a long silence. He sat with eyes rivetted upon me. "What
is this disease?" he demanded, at last.
I named it, and then again there was a pause.
Pages:
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165