CHAPTER XV
LAVERICK’s PARTNER FLEES
The doctor, a grave, incurious person, arrived within a few minutes to find Morrison already conscious but absolutely exhausted. He felt his patient’s pulse, prescribed a draught, and followed Laverick down into the sitting room.
“An ordinary case of nervous exhaustion,” he pronounced. “The patient appears to have had a very severe shock lately. He will be all right with proper diet and treatment, and a complete rest. I will call again to-morrow.”
He accepted the fee which Laverick slipped into his hand, and took his departure. Once more Laverick was alone with the girl, who had followed them downstairs.
“There is nothing to be alarmed at, you see,” he remarked.
“It is not his health which frightens me. I am sure—I am quite sure that he has something upon his mind. Did he tell you nothing?”
“Nothing at all,” Laverick answered, with an inward sense of thankfulness. “To tell you the truth, though, I am afraid you are right and that he did get into some sort of trouble last night. He was just about to tell me something when he fainted.”
Upstairs they could hear him moaning. The girl listened with pitiful face.
“What am I to do?” she asked. “I cannot leave him like this, and if I am not at the theatre in twenty minutes, I shall be fined.”
“The theatre?” Laverick repeated.