was a little man of five-and-fifty, with a fair beard that
was now nearly white, and prominent blue eyes. He spoke with a broad
Staffordshire accent. There was in him something of the farmer, something
of the well-to-do tradesman, and at the first glance his intelligence did
not impress one.

Arthur was shewn with his two friends into the consulting-room, and after
a short interval the doctor came in. He was dressed in flannels and had
an old-fashioned racket in his hand.

'I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, but Mrs Richardson has got a few
lady-friends to tea, and I was just in the middle of a set.'

His effusiveness jarred upon Arthur, whose manner by contrast became more
than usually abrupt.

'I have just learnt of the death of Mrs Haddo. I was her guardian and her
oldest friend. I came to you in the hope that you would be able to tell
me something about it.'

Dr Richardson gave him at once, the suspicious glance of a stupid man.

'I don't know why you come to me instead of to her husband. He will be
able to tell you all that you wish to know.'

'I came to you as a fellow-practitioner,' answered Arthur. 'I am at St
Luke's Hospital.' He pointed to his card, which Dr Richardson still held.
'And my friend is Dr Porhoet, whose name will be familiar to you with
respect to his studies in Malta Fever.'

'I think I read an article of yours in the _B.M.J._' said the country
doctor.

His manner assumed a singular hostility. He had no sympathy with London
specialists, whose attitude towards the general practitioner he resented.
He was pleased to sneer at their pretensions to omniscience, and quite
willing to pit himself against them.

'What can I do for you, Mr Burdon?'

'I should be very much obliged if you would tell me as exactly as
possible how Mrs Haddo died.'

'It was a very simple case of endocarditis.'

'May I ask how long before death you were called in?'

The doctor hesitated. He reddened a little.

'I'm not inclined to be cross-examined,' he burst out, suddenly making up
his mind to be angry. 'As a surgeon I daresay your knowledge of cardiac
diseases is neither extensive nor peculiar. But this was a very simple
case, and everything was done that was possible. I don't think there's
anything I can tell you.'

Arthur took no notice of the outburst.

'How many times did you see her?'

'Really, sir, I don't understand your attitude. I can't see that you have
any right to question me.'

'Did you