"You're perfectly right there, of course. Bittenbender at the University might be able to answer the question. No better Pituitary Osmoreceptorologist in the city—"
"—a Tubular Function man should look at those kidneys first. He's fifty-five, you know."
"—has anyone studied his filtration fraction?"
"—might be a peripheral vascular spasticity factor—"
After a while James Wheatley rose from the bench and slipped out the door, limping slightly as he went.
The room was small and dusky, with heavy Turkish drapes obscuring the dark hallway beyond. A suggestion of incense hung in the air.
In due course a gaunt, swarthy man in mustache and turban appeared through the curtains and bowed solemnly. "You come with a problem?" he asked, in a slight accent.
"As a matter of fact, yes," James Wheatley said hesitantly. "You see, I've been having a pain in my right little toe...."