CHAPTER XV
THE TERRIBLE FEAR
On coming down to breakfast, I found Sarakoff already seated at the table devouring the morning papers. I picked up a discarded one and stood by the fire, glancing over its contents. There was only one subject of news, and that was the spread of the Blue Disease. From every part of the north cases were reported, and in London it had broken out in several districts.
"So it's all come true," I remarked.
He nodded, and continued reading. I sauntered to the window. A thin driving snow was now falling, and the passers-by were hurrying along in the freezing slush, with collars turned up and heads bowed before the wind.
"This is an ideal day to spend indoors by the fireside," I observed. "I think I'll telephone to the hospital and tell Jones to take my work."
Sarakoff raised his eyes, and then his eyebrows.
"So," he said, "the busy man suddenly thinks work a bother. The power of the germ, Harden, is indeed miraculous."
"Do you think my inclination is due to the germ?"