Max!"
"Then Mr. Exel is a personal friend of Sir Brian Malpas?
"Excellent! Kismet aids me still! I come to you hoping that you may
be acquainted with the constitution of Mrs. Leroux, but no! behold
me disappointed in this. Then--morbleu! among your patients I find a
possible client of the opium syndicate!"
"What! Malpas? Good God! I had not thought of that! Of course, he must
retire somewhere from the ken of society to indulge in these opium
orgies"...
"Quite so. I have hopes. Since it would never do for Sir Brian Malpas to
know who I am and what I seek, a roundabout introduction is provided by
kindly Providence--Ah! that good little angel of mine!--in the person of
Mr. John Exel, M. P."
"I will introduce you to Mr. Exel with pleasure."
"Eh bien! Let it be arranged as soon as possible," said M. Max. "To Mr.
John Exel I will be, as to Miss Ryland (morbleu! I hate me!) and Miss
Cumberly (pardieu! I loathe myself!), M. Gaston! It is ten o'clock, and
already I hear your first patient ringing at the front-door bell. Good
morning, Dr. Cumberly."
Dr. Cumberly grasped his hand cordially.
"Good morning, M. Max!"
The famous detective was indeed retiring, when:
"M. Max!"
He turned--and looked into the troubled gray eyes of Dr.
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