Call Mr. Fortune | Page 8

Superintendent humbly.
"Don't you telephone or I'll scrag you."
"Telephone? Not me. I say, sir, you're some doctor." He fled.
Reggie finished his counting and whistled. "He did himself proud," said
he. " The blighter!" He shot the tablets back into their bottle, found
another bottle and poured into it the solution, and locked both away.
"Number one," he said, with satisfaction. "Now for number two." He
went off to his patient and spent a placid half-hour chatting with the
day nurse on dancing in musical comedy. But it was hardly half an hour
before the Archduchess tapped at the door.
Reggie opened it. '' This way, if you please, madame." He led the way
to his room. "I have something to say." She stood before him, fierce,
defiant, and utterly wretched. "I can promise you that the Archduke
will recover consciousness."
She caught at her breast. "He - he will live?" It was the most piteous
cry he had ever heard.
"He will live, madame!"
She trembled, swayed, and fell. Reggie grasped at her, took her in his
arms, and put her in a chair and waited frowning... She panted a little

and began to smile. Then faintly, softly, "No, no. No more now. Ah,
dearest." It was in her own language. She opened heavy eyes. " What is
it? "
"The Archduke has spoken, madame. He said - your name."
Then she began to cry and, holding out both hands to Reggie, "Let me
go to him - please - please."
"Not now. Not yet. He must have no emotions. You will go to your
room and sleep."
"You - you are a boy." She laughed through her tears, and thrust her
hands into Reggie's.
"I beg your pardon, madame," Reggie said stiffly. The creature was
absurdly adorable.
"You? Oh - Englishman." It was made plain to him that he was
expected to kiss her hand. He did it like an Englishman. Then the other
was put to his lips.
He cleared his embarrassed throat. "I must insist, madame, you will say
nothing of this to any one. It's necessary the household should suppose
the Archduke still in danger."
"Why? " A spasm crossed her face. " You are afraid of Leopold!"
"And you, madame?" Reggie said.
"Afraid? No, but - " she shuddered " - but he is not a man."
"Have no anxieties, madame. I have none," Reggie said, and opened the
door. Then, "She's a bit of a dear," he said to himself, and rang for his
lunch.
Four times that afternoon the Archduke Leopold sent to ask for news of
his brother, and each time Reggie answered that the patient was much
the same. "Leopold will be doin' some thinking," Reggie chuckled.

"Happy days for Leopold."
Towards tea-time the Hon. Stanley Lomas arrived, jauntier than ever.
"Well, doctor, been enjoying yourself, what?" He shook hands heartily.
"Best congratulations and all that. Sound scheme. Ve-ry sound scheme.
Well, I expect you'll be glad to be rid of Leopold, what? I conceive I
can put the fear of God into him now. Free hand, don't you know. Let's
take him on."
It was announced to the Archduke Leopold that the Hon. Stanley
Lomas of the Criminal Investigation Department desired to confer with
him. The Archduke, who was drinking tea, was pleased to receive Mr.
Lomas. He also received Reggie. "Dr. Fortune? You have something to
tell me?"
"There is no change, sir."
"No change yet! And you gave me such hopes this morning. These are
anxious hours, Mr. Lomas."
"I can imagine it, sir. But I hope to relieve some of your anxieties. I
believe we shall discover who was responsible for last night's outrage."
"So! And so soon! But you are wonderful, you English police. You will
sit down, Mr. Lomas." He looked at Reggie, whose lingering naturally
surprised him. "Is there anything more, Dr. Fortune?"
"Dr. Fortune is part of my evidence, sir," said Lomas.
"Is it possible? But you interest me - you interest me exceedingly.
Permit me one moment." He slid out of the room.
Lomas turned in his chair and lifted an eyebrow at Reggie, who was
settling his tie before an old Italian mirror. "Probably gone to change
his clothes," Reggie said. "He's only worn one suit to-day."
A footman brought in more tea-things, and a moment after the
Archduke came back.

"I am all impatience, Mr. Lomas. But pray take a more comfortable
chair. Dr. Fortune - I recommend the chair by the screen. Let me give
you some tea." He was all smiles.
"Have you made arrangements to leave England, sir?" Lomas said
sharply.
"Mr. Lomas!"
"You have time to catch the mail to-night."
"I hope that I do not understand you, sir. You appear insolent."
"Oh, sir, there will be