His face was calm and smiling, and though he made haste to tell us that we had come out of hours, he politely asked us in and inquired what he could do for us.
Not understanding how he could have forgotten me so soon, I looked at him inquiringly, at which his face lighted up, and he apologetically said:
“I remember you now. You were here this morning consulting me about a friend who is afflicted with a peculiar complaint. Have you anything further to state or ask in regard to it. I have just five minutes to spare.”
“Hear this gentleman first,” said I, pointing to the officer who accompanied me.
The doctor calmly bowed, and waited with the greatest self-possession for him to state his case.
The officer did so abruptly.
“There is a box in your ante-room which I feel it my duty to examine. I am Detective Hopkins, of the city police.”
The doctor, with a gentleness which seemed native rather than assumed, quietly replied:
“I am very sorry, but you are an hour too late.” And, throwing open the door of communication between the two rooms, he pointed to the table.
The box was gone!