"How like you, my dear Doctor!" He picked up the bottle and read the label. "Your womanly solicitude for my thirst touches me deeply, but,"—he replaced the bottle upon her desk—"since I've stood off the demon Rum for six weeks now I'll hold him at bay until I finish my little talk with you."
"If you're here on business, cut it short," she said curtly.
"I can't imagine myself here on any other errand" he returned placidly. "Say, Doc,"—there was a note in his wonderful speaking voice which made her look up quickly—"why don't you give back that $5.00 and four bits you pinched from Giovanni Pellezzo?"
The moment showed her remarkable self-control. She could feel her overtaxed nerves jump, but not a muscle of her face moved.
"What are you driving at?" she demanded.
"The name is not familiar to you?"
"I'm not surprised at that, since your interest in your contract patients extends no further than their pockets."
"If you're here to insult me——"
"I couldn't do that," returned the Dago Duke composedly; "I've tried."