Fire-Tongue

any cardiac trouble, Doct

in Scotsman, clean-shaven, with shaggy dark brows and a most gloomy expression in his deep-set eyes. While the presence of his sepulchral figu

his personality. "I had observed a certain breathlessness at times, however. No doubt it is one of those cases of unsuspected

ed about some family trouble, the nature of which he was a

learn from him respecting the affairs of Sir Charles. It seemed almost i

nd laden with its own peculiar portent, awakening the imagination which all too readily filled in the details of the scene above. Then, to spur Harley to action, came the thought that Sir Charles Abingdon had appealed to him for aid. Did his need terminate with his unexpected death or would the shadow under which he had died extend now? Harley found himself staring across the library at the photograph of Phil Abingdon. It was of her that Sir Charles had been spea

rofessionally, Mr. Harle

ly at the photograph on the mantelpiece. "I am informed,

staying in Devonshire with poor Abingdon's sister," he answer

of this opportunity to endeavour to fathom the mystery of the late surgeon's fears. "You will not misunderstand me,

eaker. "Mr. Harley," he replied, "I know you by repute for a man of int

tain

es not your interest cease wi

You regard me, perhaps, as a Paul Pry prompted by idle curiosity. On the contrary, I find myself in a delicate and embarras

said Docto

that I approached you for information, since you have misjudged my motive. But far from my interest having ceased, it has now as I see the matter beco

Harley." A faint trace of human emotion showed itself in his deep voice. "Charley Abingdon

preciate your feelings in the matter. At such a time a stranger can only be an intruder; but"-he fixed his keen eyes upon the physic

solemnly. "Abingdon was always eccentric

fear was upon him when he came to me, Doctor McMurdoch, and

d out two liberal portions of whiskey. "If there's anything I can do to he

re. But I have hopes that you can help me in this. For instance"-again he fixed his gaze upon the gloomy face of

nk, and he slowly shook his head. "I haven't an id

f him I scarcely think that he was a patient. Surely Sir Charles, having resided so lon

the Anglo-Indian's prejudice against men of colour." He rested his

gestion to offer in r

ll you nothing f

doch, are you aware of any difference of opinion which h

ironically. "There would always be difference of opinion between li

ty hope of success that he put his third question to the gloom

. Abingdon knew most of the extraordinary people in London; and if half one hears is true Nicol Brinn is as mad as a hatter.

"but I have one more question to put to you first. Do

upposing that you have chosen such a time for joking," he said, dourly. "But if

d I only do so on the understand ing that my words are to be treated in the strictest confidence-you may regard t

doch, displaying a sudden

arley, "that such is the case. Bens

ad. "Poor old Charley Abingdon," he murmured. "It's plain to me, Mr. Harley, that his mind was wandering. May not we find here an expl

ightly. But the smile quickly left his

rdoch sat staring moodily down at the carpet and

clearly apprehended an attempt upon his life, are you sati

d, of course, but such cases are by no means unusual. He was formerly a keen athlete, remember. 'Tis often so

ce to support such a theory," he admitted, "but if you knew of the existence of any poisonous agent whi

his face, "there are several I might mention; but the idea seems preposterous to me. Why shoul

mured Harley. "Yet

t hinting

ticall

had he

hard at Doctor McMurdoch. "It may surprise you to learn that I have already taken steps to have the remains of the soup from Sir Charles's

u are wasting your time." A touch of the old acidity crept back into his manner. "M

would be my own. But what do you make of the fact that Sir Charles received a bogus telephone

ng Wilson," prote

ned. It was a ruse. I don't assume for

was now staring h

ued, "that there was an attempted

counts for little. There have been severa

s, not uncommon north of the Tweed, who, if slow in forming an op

ely is ended, mine is only beginning. May I count upon you to advise me of Miss Abingdon's return? I particularly wish to

h, "I will communicate with you, Mr. Harley. I am just cudgelling my brains at the mome

, "but in the circumstances any suggestion of mine would

e you are the man to clear it up. But, frankly, it was his heart. I believe he had a touch of the sun once in India. Who

Harley, exhibiting a certain irritation, "have you ever kno

n, firmly; "but once a man ha

y. "Good-night,

h physician. The bogus message remained to be explained, and the assault in the square, as did the purpose of the burglar to whom gold and silver plate made no appeal. More important even than these points were the dead

gdon; and as he watched its stealthy approach it seemed to Paul Harley to be the symbol of that dread in which latterly Sir