Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Black Doctor
PorlockCarr(counselfortheprosecution):Inthemeantime,mylord,weclaimpossessionofthisdocument,sothatwemayobtainexpertevidenceastohowfaritisanimitationofthehandwritingofthegentlemanwhomwestillconfidentlyasserttobedeceased.Ineednotpointoutthatthetheorysounexpectedlysprunguponusmayprovetobeaveryobviousdeviceadoptedbythefriendsoftheprisonerinordertodivertthisinquiry.Iwoulddrawattentiontothefactthattheyoungladymust,accordingtoherownaccount,havepossessedthisletterduringtheproceedingsattheinquestandatthepolice-court.Shedesiresustobelievethatshepermittedthesetoproceed,althoughsheheldinherpocketevidencewhichwouldatanymomenthavebroughtthemtoanend.
Mr.Humphrey.Canyouexplainthis,MissMorton?
MissMorton:Dr.Lanadesiredhissecrettobepreserved.
Mr.PorlockCarr:Thenwhyhaveyoumadethispublic?
MissMorton:Tosavemybrother.
Amurmurofsympathybrokeoutincourt,whichwasinstantlysuppressedbytheJudge.
TheJudge:Admittingthislineofdefence,itlieswithyou,Mr.Humphrey,tothrowalightuponwhothismaniswhosebodyhasbeenrecognizedbysomanyfriendsandpatientsofDr.Lanaasbeingthatofthedoctorhimself.
AJuryman:Hasanyoneuptonowexpressedanydoubtaboutthematter?
Mr.PorlockCarr:Nottomyknowledge.
Mr.Humphrey:Wehopetomakethematterclear.
TheJudge:Thenthecourtadjournsuntiltomorrow.
Thisnewdevelopmentofthecaseexcitedtheutmostinterestamongthegeneralpublic.
