Page:How I Cured a Hopeless Paralytic.pdf/3

Rh course it was absurd to expect any immediate change. However, as he had given me a taste of his quality, I knew it behoved me to be very circumspect, and, without telling him the real nature of the case, I inquired very carefully into his habits and way of living. He stared somewhat when I expressed a wish to take samples of his food away with me, although with rustic caution he said little. I told him a yarn I had concocted about the treatment of chronic dyspepsia, and endeavoured to explain the process of digestion; but he evidently understood little that I said, although he appeared greatly impressed. In the end I requisitioned all the empty medicine bottles I could find, and stowed quite a number of samples of food and drink, not forgetting some water from the well, under the seat of the dog-cart, for I was not cycling that day, having a longer round than usual.

The next morning I was sent for in quite another direction, and in the afternoon I had to do what I should have otherwise done in the morning, so that I was unable to work round to Artlett until the evening. A little way from the house his daughter met me (she was at home, for a wonder), and told me a curious piece of news. Her father appeared to have been much upset by my proceedings of the day before. She had found him behaving more like a madman than anything else—had been quite afraid to remain in the house with him; he had been abusing doctors and everyone, so she didn't think it would be safe for me to see him; refused all food, and had eaten nothing since yesterday but some bread and milk she had made for him herself; when she offered him some fish from the Hall, the same as he used to be so fond of, he had thrown it in the fire, using "dreadful language." I was very interested in this new development; it was not long before that I had read of insanity arising as a result of lead-poisoning. I endeavoured to calm the daughter’s fears, and promised to be as soothing as I knew with the patient. When I got into the room I could see little outward change, and Artlett greeted me very much as usual. I talked on indifferent matters as long as possible, but it was inevitable that the subject which was occupying both our minds should crop up sooner or later.

"Look here, doctor," he suddenly burst out. "I wants to speak to yer like a man. Yes, yes! I know what ye're going to say, but I want yer to answer me like a man. There’s something going on I don't understand."

"I don't suppose you do, Artlett, but"

"It's not my trade, you're goin' to say, doctor. But it's your'n, and I pays yer to tell me!"

Now this was not only insulting but untrue, for his late employer was paying for the attendance; but I let it pass and merely said:

"Well, what is it you want to know? Don't excite yourself so. We shall never get any further to-night if you don't keep calm."

"About this 'ere paralis, then?"

"Well, I think you've been taking something that hasn't agreed with you."

"That's it! It's the bile on the brain; I feels it playin' on me more and more every day."

"What are you talking about, Artlett!"

"They're poisonin' of me! Rot 'em!"

"Poisoning you?"

"Ah, I knows all about it! Yer may shake yer 'ead, but yer knows too."

"I tell you, Artlett, I don't know what you mean."

"What did yer put in all them bottles, then, what yer took 'ome with yer?"

"Why, you saw what I put in them!"

"Ah, I knows! And what did yer find in 'em?"

"Nothing!" This was rather more than the truth, for, of course, I had had no time to analyse the samples.

"I knows better. 'E's poisonin' of me!"

"Who is? Once more, say what you mean and have done with it."

"Why, Mr. Kirtley, to be sure."

"You must be mad! Isn't he doing all he can to keep you alive, and paying you into the bargain?"

"That's it!" he roared. E wants ter stop a-payin' me as he's got to by law—County Court law. 'E wants ter get rid of me!"

I was so astounded that, unfortunately, the old fox saw my embarrassment.

"Well, yer knows it, doctor!" he cried. "What did yer take all them things away for? All them victuals 'e sends me? Sech a kind gen'l'man as 'e is! Look at my pore 'and! 'E stole my legs, an' now 'e's stealin' my arms! 'E'll soon 'ave my life! Rot 'im!"

I noticed, with a good deal of interest, that his mental disturbance seemed to over-