The Heart of a Woman
Page 37
CHAPTER XXXVII
IT IS ONE HUMAN LIFE AGAINST THE OTHER
Once more Louisa was sitting in the dark corner of a cab, seeingLondon by night, as the motor flew past lighted thoroughfares, dark,narrow streets, stately mansions and mean houses. The same endlessmonotony of bricks and mortar, of pillars and railings; the sameendless monotony of every-day life whilst some hearts were breakingand others suffered misery to which cruel, elusive death refused itssupreme solace.
She waited in the cab whilst Sir Thomas Ryder went in to see thedoctor. Fortunately the latter was at home, and able to see SirThomas.
At first he was obdurate. Nothing that the high officer of policecould say would move his medical dictum. Lord Radclyffe was too ill tosee any one. He was hardly conscious. His brain was working veryfeebly. He had not spoken for two days, for speech was difficult.
"If," said Doctor Newington in his habitual pompous manner, "he hadthe least inkling now, that that favourite nephew of his was guilty ofthis awful murder, why, my dear sir, I wouldn't answer for theconsequences. I believe the feeble bit of life in him would go outlike a candle that's been blown upon."
"Who talks," retorted Sir Thomas somewhat impatiently, and assuming amanner at least as pompous as that of the fashionable physician, "ofletting Lord Radclyffe know anything about his nephew's position. Idon't. I have no such intention. But de Mountford's plight is a veryserious one. There are one or two points about his former life thatLord Radclyffe could elucidate if he will. I want your permission toask him two or three questions. Hang it all, man, de Mountford's lifeis in danger! I don't think you have the right to oppose me in this.You take a most awful responsibility upon your shoulders."
"A medical man," said Doctor Newington vaguely, "has to take uponhimself certain grave responsibilities sometimes."
"Yes; but not such a grave one as this. You must at least give me thechance of interrogating Lord Radclyffe. Supposing he knows somethingthat may throw light on this awful affair, something that may go toprove de Mountford's innocence or guilt--either way--and suppose thatowing to your prohibitions, all knowledge of his nephew's fate is keptfrom him until it is too late, until de Mountford is hanged--for herisks hanging, doctor, let me tell you that!--suppose that you havestood in the way, when some simple explanation from your patient mighthave saved him! What then?"
"But the patient is too ill, I tell you. He wouldn't understand you,probably. I am sure he couldn't answer your questions."
The doctor's original pompous manner had left him somewhat. He was nowmore like an obstinate man, arguing, than like a medical man whosepronouncements must be final. Sir Thomas Ryder--one of the keenest mento note such subtle changes in another--saw that he had gained anadvantage. He was quick enough to press it home.
"Let me try at all events," he said. "The whole matter is of suchenormous importance! After all, doctor, it is a question of one humanlife against the other. With regard to de Mountford, let me tell youthat unless we can get some very definite proof as to his innocence,it is bound to go hard with him. Say that a few weeks hence LordRadclyffe, recovering from this severe illness, is confronted with thenews that his nephew is being tried for murder, or that he has beencondemned--I won't even mention the final awful possibility--do youthink that you or any one will save the old man's life then, or hisreason perhaps?"
Doctor Newington was silent for awhile. Clearly he was ready to giveway. Like most men who outwardly are very pompous and dictatorial, hisblustering was only veneer. The strong will power of a more determinedintellect very soon reduced him to compliance. And all that Sir ThomasRyder said was logical. It carried a great deal of conviction.
"Very well," said the doctor at last, "I'll give you permission tointerview my patient. But on two conditions."
"What are they?"
"That the interview takes place in my presence, and that at the firstword from me, you cease questioning my patient, and leave his room."
"Very well," assented Sir Thomas, without any hesitation, content thathe had gained his point, and quite satisfied that the two conditionswere perfectly reasonable and such that the doctor was reallycompelled to impose. "I must tell you that I came to see you to-nightat the instance of my niece, Louisa Harris, who was fiancee to deMountford before this unfortunate business. It was she who adducedcertain arguments which she placed before me, and which led to mystrong desire to question Lord Radclyffe to-night, before de Mountfordis brought up before the magistrate to-morrow. She is down below inthe cab, waiting for me."
"I cannot allow her to see my patient also," protested the doctorquickly.
"No, no. She shall not see him, unless you give permission."
"Why don't you send her home right away then?"
"Because," retorted Sir Thomas tartly, "you might give thatpermission, you see."
The argument between the two men had lasted close on half an hour. Itwas long past ten o'clock when at last Louisa saw them emergingthrough the lighted door-way. The next moment they were seated in thecab with her, Sir Thomas having given the chauffeur the address ofLord Radclyffe's house in Grosvenor Square.
The doctor tried to be bland and polite, but he was not oversuccessful in this. He did not like being opposed, nor hearing hispronouncements combated. In this case he had been forced to give way,somewhat against his better judgment, and all the way in the cab hewas comforting himself with the thought that at any rate he would keepwomen away from his patient, and that he would in any case cut theinterview very short, and demand its abrupt cessation veryperemptorily. He would then be backed up by two nurses, and we must dohim the justice to say that he was honestly anxious about hispatient.
Louisa took no notice of the fashionable doctor's efforts atconversation. She preferred to remain quite silent for those fewminutes which elapsed between the departure from Hertford Street andthe arrival at the east side of Grosvenor Square. When she saw heruncle coming down the steps of the doctor's house in company with thedoctor himself, she knew that the second victory had been wonto-night: that Sir Thomas Ryder would be allowed to interview LordRadclyffe. She had, of course, no suspicion of Doctor Newington'sconditions to the interview, but the victory gained was an importantone, and for the moment she was content.