II[ToC]
NEWS OF VIOLA
One morning in late March, while Serviss was still at his morning's mail, Dr. Britt's card came in, bringing with it instant, vivid recollection of Colorow. The beauty of his days there had by no means faded from his mind, although he had succeeded in putting his romance in the background of his working brain, and had given up all thought of ever seeing Viola again.
He greeted Britt most cordially. "So you turned up at last! How is the lung? Isn't this a raw time of the year for you?"
"Well, yes; but my father died a few days ago, and I had to come on, and being near I ran in to see how you and the 'bugs' were getting on."
"Oh, we're thriving. Their ways are quite absorbing. How is your own 'farm'?"
"All in ruins. The fact is I've neglected the poor little brutes. I had no time for germs after I went off into the study of 'spooks.'"
"You don't tell me you've turned investigator of spirits! What have you discovered?"
"Not a thing. It's the most elusive problem I ever tackled. You remember the Lamberts?"