Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Black Doctor
Iwillnotgointoparticulars,fortherecollectionisaspainfulastheexperience;butinanhourmybrotherlay,dresseddowntothesmallestdetailinmyclothes,whileIslunkoutbythesurgerydoor,andtakingthebackpathwhichledacrosssomefields,IstartedofftomakethebestofmywaytoLiverpool,whereIarrivedthesamenight.MybagofmoneyandacertainportraitwereallIcarriedoutofthehouse,andIleftbehindmeinmyhurrytheshadewhichmybrotherhadbeenwearingoverhiseye.EverythingelseofhisItookwithme.
"Igiveyoumyword,sir,thatneverforoneinstantdidtheideaoccurtomethatpeoplemightthinkthatIhadbeenmurdered,nordidIimaginethatanyonemightbecausedseriousdangerthroughthisstratagembywhichIendeavouredtogainafreshstartintheworld.Onthecontrary,itwasthethoughtofrelievingothersfromtheburdenofmypresencewhichwasalwaysuppermostinmymind.AsailingvesselwasleavingLiverpoolthatverydayforCorunna,andinthisItookmypassage,thinkingthatthevoyagewouldgivemetimetorecovermybalance,andtoconsiderthefuture.ButbeforeIleftmyresolutionsoftened.IbethoughtmethattherewasonepersonintheworldtowhomIwouldnotcauseanhourofsadness.Shewouldmournmeinherheart,howeverharshandunsympatheticherrelativesmightbe.SheunderstoodandappreciatedthemotivesuponwhichIhadacted,andiftherestofherfamilycondemnedme,she,atleast,wouldnotforget.AndsoIsentheranoteunderthesealofsecrecytosaveherfromabaselessgrief.
