Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Black Doctor
AnychanceofgettingawayfromBishop’sCrossingandofeveryoneinitwouldbemostwelcometome.AndherewassuchachanceasIcouldneverhavedaredtohopefor,achancewhichwouldenablemetomakeacleanbreakwiththepast.
"Therewasthisdeadmanlyinguponthesofa,solikemethatsaveforsomelittlethicknessandcoarsenessofthefeaturestherewasnodifferenceatall.Noonehadseenhimcomeandnoonewouldmisshim.Wewerebothclean-shaven,andhishairwasaboutthesamelengthasmyown.IfIchangedclotheswithhim,thenDr.AloysiusLanawouldbefoundlyingdeadinhisstudy,andtherewouldbeanendofanunfortunatefellow,andofablightedcareer.Therewasplentyofreadymoneyintheroom,andthisIcouldcarryawaywithmetohelpmetostartoncemoreinsomeotherland.Inmybrother’sclothesIcouldwalkbynightunobservedasfarasLiverpool,andinthatgreatseaportIwouldsoonfindsomemeansofleavingthecountry.Aftermylosthopes,thehumblestexistencewhereIwasunknownwasfarpreferable,inmyestimation,toapractice,howeversuccessful,inBishop’sCrossing,whereatanymomentImightcomefacetofacewiththosewhomIshouldwish,ifitwerepossible,toforget.Ideterminedtoeffectthechange.
"AndIdidso.
