“Why?”
“You state that the boy died from heart disease.”
“He did—from aortic disease.”
“But I say that he never had heart disease. I knew him well, almost from his birth. He was delicate, but he had no organic complaint of any sort. It is just possible that disease of the heart may be developed within a fortnight, but on that point I should like to ask the opinion of another doctor.”
“Why so? Is not my word as good as another’s? Such instances are rare, but not impossible.”
Pelham was silent.
“Go on,” said Tarbot after a pause. “Say all that is in your mind. You have gone too far now to draw back. Your impression is that the child did not die of heart disease. You at least admit that he is dead?”
“Heaven help me, yes.”
“That being the case, what did he die of?”
“I cannot tell you. I wish I could.”