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48
THE DEATH-DOCTOR

to make this infernal mess?" he continued, looking at the carpet.

"A mere accident. I'm sorry," I said.

"Let's have our drinks over at the café; we can keep our eyes open for awhile if he really is about."

"All right," said he, and meeting the waiter he instructed him accordingly.

Featherson was very agreeable that night, and we both of us made a little money at roulette. As we parted, after the Casino closed, he said, "We shall get on very well together, boy. I'll play the game by you. You see."

I wish he hadn't said that.

Next day I went over to the laboratory to see Dr. Fabris. He was attending to his cultures and had not missed the tube I had taken. Later I went over to Nice with him and we were persuaded to stay the night with his acquaintances who lived up at Cimiez, and also the following day, so I did not see Featherson until the third day after I had used the diplococcus.

When I did call in the afternoon I detected a change in him. He was flushed, which was very rare with him, and his eyes shone bright and restless.

I knew the signs—the pneumococcus had