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Page 15
"Possibly," said Harley, conscious of some disappointment; "yet
from the way he spoke of him I scarcely think that he was a
patient. Surely Sir Charles, having resided so long in India,
numbered several Orientals among his acquaintances if not among
his friends?"
"None ever came to his home," replied Doctor McMurdoch. "He had
all the Anglo-Indian's prejudice against men of colour." He
rested his massive chin in his hand and stared down reflectively
at the carpet.
"Then you have no suggestion to offer in regard to this person?"
"None. Did he tell you nothing further about him?"
"Unfortunately, nothing. In the next place, Doctor McMurdoch, are
you aware of any difference of opinion which had arisen latterly
between Sir Charles and his daughter?"
"Difference of opinion!" replied Doctor McMurdoch, raising his
brows ironically. "There would always be difference of opinion
between little Phil and any man who cared for her. But
out-and-out quarrel--no!"
Again Harley found himself at a deadlock, and it was with scanty
hope of success that he put his third question to the gloomy
Scot. "Was Sir Charles a friend of Mr. Nicol Brinn?" he asked.
"Nicol Brinn?" echoed the physician. He looked perplexed. "You
mean the American millionaire? I believe they were acquainted.
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
they were not in any sense friends as far as I know." He was
watching Harley curiously. "Why do you ask that question?"
"I will tell you in a moment," said Harley, rapidly, "but I have
one more question to put to you first. Does the term Fire-Tongue
convey anything to your mind?"
Doctor McMurdoch's eyebrows shot upward most amazingly. "I won't
insult you by supposing that you have chosen such a time for
joking," he said, dourly. "But if your third question surprised
me, I must say that your fourth sounds simply daft."
"It must," agreed Harley, and his manner was almost fierce; "but
when I tell you why I ask these two questions--and I only do so
on the understand ing that my words are to be treated in the
strictest confidence--you may regard the matter in a new light.
'Nicol Brinn' and 'Fire-Tongue' were the last words which Sir
Charles Abingdon uttered."
"What!" cried Doctor McMurdoch, displaying a sudden surprising
energy. "What?"
"I solemnly assure you," declared Harley, "that such is the case.
Benson, the butler, also overheard them."
Doctor McMurdoch relapsed once more into gloom, gazing at the
whiskey in the glass which he held in his hand and slowly shaking
his head. "Poor old Charley Abingdon," he murmured. "It's plain
to me, Mr. Harley, that his mind was wandering. May not we find
here an explanation, too, of this idea of his that some danger
overhung Phil? You didn't chance to notice, I suppose, whether he
had a temperature?"
"I did not," replied Harley, smiling slightly. But the smile
quickly left his face, which became again grim and stern.
A short silence ensued, during which Doctor McMurdoch sat staring
moodily down at the carpet and Harley slowly paced up and down
the room; then:
"In view of the fact," he said, suddenly, "that Sir Charles
clearly apprehended an attempt upon his life, are you satisfied
professionally that death was due to natural causes?"
"Perfectly satisfied," replied the physician, looking up with a
start: "perfectly satisfied. It was unexpected, of course, but
such cases are by no means unusual. He was formerly a keen
athlete, remember. 'Tis often so. Surely you don't suspect foul
play? I understood you to mean that his apprehensions were on
behalf of Phil."
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