Call Mr. Fortune | Page 3

sister says, Dr. Fortune, she was out in the car." The Archduke
paused. "She drives herself. It is with her a little passion. My brother
was out walking alone."
"Those long walks! How I hate them!" the Archduchess broke out.
"Again, it is with him a little passion. Well, he did not come back. I

grew anxious. I am staying here, you understand. My sister was late too.
I sent out servants. My brother was found lying in the road not far from
the gate of the lodge. He remains unconscious. I fear -- " He spread out
his hands.
"You - you always fear!" the Archduchess cried. They exchanged
glances like blows.
"May I go up, madame?" Reggie said solemnly. She whirled round and
rushed away.
"The Archduchess is much agitated," said the Archduke.
"It is most natural," Reggie murmured.
"Most natural. Pray follow me, Dr. Fortune. I will take you to my
brother."
The Archduke Maurice lay in a room of austere simplicity. A
writing-table, a tiny dressing-table, three chairs, and a narrow iron bed
were all its furniture. Only three small rugs lay on the floor. At the head
of the bed a man stood watching. The Archduchess was on her knees,
her face pressed to her husband's body, and she sobbed violently.
The Archduke Leopold looked at Reggie, made a gesture towards her,
and said, "My dear Ianthe!"
She looked up flushed and tear-stained.
"I beg your pardon, madame. This is dangerous to the patient," Reggie
said.
She gave a stifled cry and rushed out of the room.
The Archduke Leopold seemed to intend to stay, but in a moment the
voice of the Archduchess was heard calling for him. "Better go to her,
sir. Keep her out of here," Reggie said, and turned to his patient. It was
obvious that the Archduke did not relish so brusque an order. But the
passionate voice was not to be denied.

The man by the bed and Reggie took each other's measure. "English?"
said Reggie.
"Yes, sir. Holt, I am. The Archduke's valet."
"You undressed him?"
"Yes, sir. Was that wrong?"
"Depends how you did it." Reggie began his examination.
The Archduke Maurice was a big man. That is a habit in his family. He
had their fairness, but even in coma his cheeks showed more colour
than his brother Leopold's, and his yellow hair and beard had a reddish
glow. A bold, honest face with plenty of brow. Reggie went over his
body with an anatomical enthusiasm for so splendid a specimen.
"Get me some warm water, will you?" Holt went out of the room.
Reggie bent over the broad chest. From it, from just above the heart, he
drew out a thin sliver of steel. He made a face at it and put it away. Holt
came back, and there was sponging and bandaging.
"You washed him before, I see. Any one else touched him but you?"
"Only carrying him, sir. I've been with him the whole time. I found
him."
"Oh. Lying on his face, I suppose?"
"No, sir. On his back. Just like he is now."
"Oh. Notice anything?"
"No, sir, I wish I had. I'd like to have the handling of the bounder that
did it."
"Well, well, we mustn't get excited. Preserve absolute calm. Holt. He's
well liked, is he?"

"Why, sir, we'd do anything for him. He - oh, he's a gentleman."
"Quite so. You mustn't leave him a moment. No one - see, no one - is to
come into the room. I'll be back soon."
"Very good, sir. Beg pardon, sir." The good Holt flushed. "What's the
verdict?"
"It's not all over yet!" Reggie went downstairs.
And it appeared to him that he interrupted the Archduke and the
Archduchess in a quarrel. But the Archduke was very pleased to see
him, effusive in offering a chair, and so forth. Reggie was not gratified.
"I must have nurses, sir," he announced. "I should like another
opinion."
"You see!" the Archduchess cried. "It is as I told you. This boy!"
"The Archduchess is naturally anxious,'* the Archduke apologized. "By
all means nurses. But another opinion - you must have confidence in
yourself, my good friend."
"I have. But I want Sir Lawson Hunter to see the case."
The Archduke shrugged. "It is serious then, Dr. Fortune? We do not
wish a great noise. Is it not so, Ianthe?"
"I would give my soul to be quiet," she cried.
"Quite," said Reggie.
"Very well. Discretion, then, you understand, my good friend."
"I'll telephone to Sir Lawson at once."
"Indeed? It is serious, then?"
"It's a bad concussion." Reggie bowed and made for the door.

"You - Dr. Fortune -- " the Archduchess cried. "Will he - what will
happen?"
"There's no reason we shouldn't hope, madame,"