"In '99, you know. I wonder I didn't die of it too. I was considerably younger then and my humane instincts, early enthusiasms, and so on had led me into pretty bad company. However, I had also pretty good friends. What with one thing and another I am pretty well known all over Italy. My name is Martel—Doctor Martel. You probably may have heard. . . ."
He threw a searching glance at Cosmo, who bowed non-committally, and went on without a pause: "I am the man who brought vaccine to Italy, first. Cantelucci was trying to tell me your name but really I couldn't make it out."
"Latham is my name," said Cosmo, "and I only set foot in Italy for the first time in my life two days ago."
The doctor jerked his head sideways.
"Latham, eh? Yorkshire?"
"Yes," said Cosmo, smiling.
"To be sure. Sir Charles . . ."
"That's my father."
"Yes, yes. Served in the Guards. I used to know the doctor of his regiment. Married in Italy. I don't remember the lady's name. Oh, those are old times. Might have been a hundred years ago."
"You mean that so much history has been made since."