She telephoned to the Polefax doctor.
That afternoon he called at Putnam's and made his report.
"He's in a very bad way, Mrs. Woodburn," he said. "Advanced arterial deterioration. And the condition is complicated by some deep-seated fear-complex."
The doctor was young, up-to-date, and dabbling in psycho-therapy.
"Fear of death?" asked Mrs. Woodburn.
"Fear of life, I think," the other answered. "He wouldn't talk to me. And I can't, of course, attempt a mental analysis."
Mrs. Woodburn had no notion what he meant, and believed, perhaps rightly, that he did not know himself.
"He's been unfortunate," she said.
"So I guessed," answered the young man. "He asked me who sent me, and when I told him said he'd be grateful if you'd call on him."
"I'll go round."