The Darrow Enigma | Page 3

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This Etext prepared by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer.

The originally strange paragrphing has been retained.

The Darrow Enigma
by Melvin L. Severy

CONTENTS
THE EPISODE OF THE DARKENED ROOM
CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IV
THE EPISODE OF THE SEALED DOCUMENT
CHAPTER I

THE EPISODE OF RAMA RAGOBAH
CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II
THE EPISODE OF THE PARALLEL READERS
CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III
THE EPISODE OF THE TALETALE THUMB
CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER V

THE EPISODE OF THE DARKENED ROOM
CHAPTER I
What shall we say when Dream-Pictures leave their frames of night and
push us from the waking world?
As the part I played in the events I am about to narrate was rather that
of a passive observer than of an active participant, I need say little of
myself. I am a graduate of a Western university and, by profession, a
physician. My practice is now extensive, owing to my blundering into
fame in a somewhat singular manner, but a year ago I had, I assure you,
little enough to do. Inasmuch as my practice is now secure, I feel
perfectly free to confess that the cure I effected in the now celebrated
case of Mrs. P- was altogether the result of chance, and not, as I was
then only too glad to have people believe, due to an almost supernatural
power of diagnosis.
Mrs. P- was not more surprised at the happy result than was I; the only
difference being that she showed her astonishment, while I
endeavoured to conceal mine, and affected to look upon the whole
thing as a matter of course.
My fame spread; the case got into the medical journals, where my skill
was much lauded, and my practice became enormous. There is but one
thing further I need mention regarding myself: that is, that I am
possessed of a memory which my friends are pleased to consider
phenomenal. I can repeat a lecture, sermon, or conversation almost
word for word after once hearing it, provided always, that the subject
commands my interest. My humble abilities in this direction have never
ceased to be a source of wonderment to my acquaintance, though I
confess, for my own part, when I compare them with those of Blind
Tom, or of the man who, after a single reading, could correctly repeat
the London Times, advertisements and all, they seem modest indeed.

It was about the time when, owing to the blessed Mrs. P -, my creditors
were beginning to receive some attention, that I first met George
Maitland. He had need, he said, of my professional services; he felt
much under the weather; could I give him something which would
brace him up a bit; he had some important chemical work on hand
which he could not afford to put by;