was in high spirits. In the middle of a word, he stopped, half-turned his head as though listening; then
slipped from his chair to the floor. When I bent over him he was as you see him now. That was precisely
half after midnight. I brought him here at once."
"Well," I said, "that at least gives us the exact time of the seizure. There is no use of your remaining, Mr.
Ricori, unless you wish."
He studied his hands a few moments, rubbing the carefully manicured nails.
"Dr. Lowell," he said at last, "if this man dies without your discovering what killed him, I will pay you the
customary fees and the hospital the customary charges and no more. If he dies and you make this
discovery after his death, I will give a hundred thousand dollars to any charity you name. But if you make
the discovery before he dies, and restore him to health-I will give you the same sum."