Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Black Doctor
Lanahadaskedhertolookinthelastthingandlethimknowhowherhusbandwasprogressing.Sheobservedthatthelightwasburninginthestudy,buthavingknockedseveraltimesatthesurgerydoorwithoutresponse,sheconcludedthatthedoctorhadbeencalledout,andsoreturnedhome.
Thereisashort,windingdrivewithalampattheendofitleadingdownfromthehousetotheroad.AsMrs.Maddingemergedfromthegateamanwascomingalongthefootpath.ThinkingthatitmightbeDr.Lanareturningfromsomeprofessionalvisit,shewaitedforhim,andwassurprisedtoseethatitwasMr.ArthurMorton,theyoungsquire.Inthelightofthelampsheobservedthathismannerwasexcited,andthathecarriedinhishandaheavyhunting-crop.Hewasturninginatthegatewhensheaddressedhim.
"Thedoctorisnotin,sir,"saidshe.
"Howdoyouknowthat?"heaskedharshly.
"Ihavebeentothesurgerydoor,sir."
"Iseealight,"saidtheyoungsquire,lookingupthedrive."Thatisinhisstudy,isitnot?"
"Yes,sir;butIamsurethatheisout."
"Well,hemustcomeinagain,"saidyoungMorton,andpassedthroughthegatewhileMrs.Maddingwentuponherhomewardway.
Atthreeo’clockthatmorningherhusbandsufferedasharprelapse,andshewassoalarmedbyhissymptomsthatshedeterminedtocallthedoctorwithoutdelay.Asshepassedthroughthegateshewassurprisedtoseesomeonelurkingamongthelaurelbushes.Itwascertainlyaman,andtothebestofherbeliefMr.ArthurMorton.Preoccupiedwithherowntroubles,shegavenoparticularattentiontotheincident,buthurriedonuponhererrand.
