"I am most deeply interested in him," said the detective: and the unsuspicious doctor never noticed the really sophistical nature of the answer.
"Well, I am sorry to tell you that I think him very ill. I don't know what they can have been about not to call in advice before." And in a few short words he stated what disease the symptoms seemed to threaten.
It startled the detective. He was sufficiently acquainted with surgery to know that it was one of difficulty and danger.
"Surely, Dr. Cavendish, he is not threatened with _that?_"
"Why, it will kill him! It is not curable, is it?"
"Rarely, if ever, when once it has certainly set-in."
Mr. Strange looked very blank. To hear that his prize might escape him by death--or might die close upon his capture, was eminently unsatisfactory. It would be a termination to the great affair he had never thought of; would tarnish all the laurels in a business point of view: and he was, besides, not a hard-hearted man.
"He is very young for that kind of thing, is he not, doctor?"
"Will trouble induce it?--I mean _great_ trouble; anxiety; care?"
"Sometimes. Especially if there should be any hereditary tendency to it in the system."
"Are you his brother?" asked the Doctor, seeing how cut-up the visitor looked. "Not that I detect any likeness."
"No, I am not his brother; or any other relative. Do you consider it a hopeless case, Dr. Cavendish?"
"I have not said that. I should not be justified in saying it. In fact, I have not yet formed a positive opinion on the case, and cannot do so until I shall have examined further into it. All I say at present is, that I do not like the symptoms."
"And--if the symptoms turn out to be what you fear; to threaten the malady you speak of--what then?"
"Why then there will be very little hope for him."
"Of course. To-morrow. He is not in a state to be left without medical attendance."
"How long do you think it has been coming on, doctor?"
"I cannot tell you that. Not less than a twelvemonth, if it be what I fear."
Mr. Strange played with his watch-chain. He wanted the description of the man yet--though, in fact he felt so sure as hardly to need it, only that detectives do not leave anything to chance.
"Would you mind telling me what you think of his looks, Dr. Cavendish?"