"Yes." The reply was a trifle curt.
"Perhaps," Monsieur Dupont proceeded evenly, "there were circumstances in connection with that name which helped to fix it in your memory?"
"There were certain circumstances," the doctor admitted, "which made it a name that I am unlikely to forget."
"Unpleasant circumstances?" queried Monsieur Dupont.
"The most unpleasant that have ever occurred to me in the whole length of my practice."
"It is for that story," said Monsieur Dupont, "that I have come to ask. May I beg all the details that you can recall?"
"Perhaps you will first tell me," the doctor returned, "for what purpose you require this information?"
"I require it," Monsieur Dupont replied impressively, "to save the life of an innocent man, who is wrongly accused of the crime of murder. I require it also prove three deaths, and possibly to prevent another three."
Again the doctor started. His hands gripped the arms of his chair.
"Three deaths?" he exclaimed sharply. "What do you mean?"