So Hawley decided to take a chance and call upon the mysterious Doctor Gaspard Bonsal without taking the precaution of making any inquiries about him. There was one fact which he considered slightly reassuring. Although there was nothing about the note to indicate whether the person referred to was a physician, a horse doctor, or a doctor of philosophy, Hawley recognized the address as being in the most exclusive residence section of the capital. He had walked several times along the Avenida Juarez, and had noted the pretentious residences which lined that well-lighted thoroughfare, particularly in the vicinity of the cathedral; so he felt satisfied, at least, that this was no ruse to lure him into some dark alleyway in the slums of San Cristobal.
The address was only a short distance from the hotel, and Hawley proceeded there on foot, carefully observing the warning which the message had contained to make sure that he was not followed. He had no difficulty in picking out Doctor Gaspard Bonsal’s house, for there was a brass plate on the door bearing that name. This discovery added greatly to his confidence; nevertheless, as he climbed the low stoop and pressed the bell button, he took the precaution of keeping one hand in his coat pocket, with a businesslike grip on the automatic pistol it contained.
The door was opened by an aged negro servant, who, without asking any questions, ushered him into a handsomely furnished reception room, and quietly disappeared.
A few minutes later, as Hawley was appreciatively studying one of the oil paintings which lined the walls, a gray-bearded, fine-looking old man entered the room.
“You are Mr. Hawley?” he inquired. He spoke excellent English, although his appearance was decidedly Latin.
“Yes; and I presume I have the honor of addressing Doctor Bonsal?” As Hawley spoke, his hand came out of his pocket; for the sight of this fine, courtly old man removed his last apprehension.
Doctor Bonsal bowed. “I must apologize most profoundly for having summoned you here in such a mysterious way,” he said, with a smile, “but I assure you, sir, it was most necessary. The circumstances are such that we cannot be too careful. Had I sent my carriage for you, as I would have liked to do, it might have aroused suspicion.”
“That’s all right,” Hawley assured him. “It was only a short walk.”
“You are quite sure that you were not followed here?” There was great anxiety in the other’s tone.
“Positive. At least, if there were any spies trailing me, I’m satisfied that I’m a good case for an oculist,” said the Camera Chap, with a laugh. “I kept a sharp lookout for them.”