University of San Francisco - USF Don Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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TIIE RETURN OF DR. PILL 13 Bill,” he said; ‘‘you know I had to. You would have done the same.” “I’m not so sure of that,” said Bill, ‘‘there is only one man in the world that can do the same, though this morning for a brief spell I thought that there were two. But, Great Scott! what is New York’s petted child doing down here in this disguise, when he should be in the metropolis killing off the population?” “Don’t rub it in, Bill, please don’t,” pleaded Findlay and a look of agony came into his eyes. “Rub it in, what do you mean? I was only joking. You are getting touchy in your old age. What is the matter?” “I thought you were referring to my last two patients in New York,” said Findlay. “I assure you it was not my fault.” “What last two patients?” inquired Bill. “Then you have not heard?” said Findlay. “Thank God! there is some one that does not know. Six months ago 1 operated on a man. Ilis spine was improving nicely. I was elated and happy. I operated on a boy who was also on the road to recovery. Then the catastrophe came like lightning from a clear sky. Both died of lockjaw. You know that at that time I was experimenting with lock-jaw and everybody knew about the discoveries I had made, so of course I was accused of inoculating the two patients with the fatal germ. My reputation was ruined. I seemed to bear upon me the brand of Cain. I left the city caring little where I went. I would seek to forget and be forgotten. So I took to the road and here I am. For God’s sake let your lips be sealed. People think, no doubt, that I am dead.” The specialist fumbled in his pocket, and drew thence a newspaper clipping neatly folded. “IIow little I expected,” he said, “when I cut this out, that Providence would use it as it does to-day. Listen:

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12 TIIE I OX ATI AX evidently a case of starvation. We must remove Doctor Pill to another room.” It was quite a time before Doctor Jones re-entered the sick room and announced to the Specialist: ‘‘Doctor Pill is getting along nicely, now. lie hadn't had any food for three days.” The mother who had been admitted to sec her child, came forward saying: “Oh Doctor Jones, how can I thank you? My baby is going to get well?” and tears of joy rolled down her checks. The specialist too, came forward. “Wonderful, wonderful,” he said, and he talked as a man who knew what he said and meant every word of it. “There are but two men in this world who could have performed that operation. One is the great surgeon, George Findlay, a college chum of mine; the other is the man who did it. I must see him, Doctor.” Following Doctor Jones he entered a nearby room where the stranger lay in bed. lie was sleeping soundly. Tiptoeing to the couch, the specialist gazed earnestly and long at the quiet face. “Can it be?” he muttered to himself, “or is it some strange double? And if it be he, as I feel certain it is, how came he here in this condition?” “Let him rest,” he said to the nurse, “he deserves it. I shall return this afternoon to sec both patients; but say nothing of my coming.” Evening was again drawing on as the specialist drove up to the house. Barely knocking at the door, he entered and pressed on to the stranger's room. The man was dressed and sitting in a chair but his eyes were closed as if he were dozing. “Foxy,” muttered the specialist to himself, “he thinks it's Doctor Jones and lie's seeking to escape the praise he so richly merits.” Then quickly advancing and placing his hand upon the man's shoulder, “Hello! George Findlay,” he cried, “a nice way this, sneaking into a man's practice.” Instantly the stranger was wide awake, “I had to do it,

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14 THE IQS ATI AN “a plot exposed. New York, May 5th.—A solution lias been found to the mysterious casualties due to lock-jaw, at the Bronx, St. Luke’s and Burnett Hospitals. The supplies of cotton and bandages were found to be inoculated with tetanus bacilli. The first casualty appeared at the Bronx Hospital, six months ago when Hubert Brown, who was operated on by the famous Dr. George Findlay, succumbed to the fatal disease. The incident attracted a great deal of attention at the time and terminated in the disappearance of Dr. Findlay. A plot being suspected, detectives worked upon the case, and they have found and laid bare the infamous intrigue connected with it.” The eyes of the listener dilated. ‘‘Give it to me,” he said, “give it to me. It is life and elixir to my soul. Thank God! Today and its wanderings are over, forever; tomorrow will be another day, the day of my return.”