"Of course." The doctor nodded his head. "I believe there have been cases on record. But I've never met anyone who had come across it—professionally or otherwise. It's quite unique."
"No?" McTaggart smiled back, relieved anew by the words. "I didn't bother much about it. There was no danger, so he said. But it's been ... I can't exactly explain—a sort of perpetual discomfort to me."
"I can quite understand that," said the other and his voice was full of sympathy. He had seen, at ambulance lectures, strong men faint at the sight of diagrams explaining the dangers that menaced the heart.
He knew the fear that underlay any weakness of that organ and he felt, too, a curious interest in the living case before his eyes.
McTaggart liked his new friend's face and the quiet courtesy of the man. He was urged anew by the first impulse that had moved him to confide in a stranger.
"Look here——" his voice was abrupt out of sheer nervousness. "I'm going to make an odd suggestion—I hope you won't be offended by it? The fact is—just now—it's rather important that I should know where I stand—and get to the bottom of this! I want to marry——" his colour rose under the bronze of his skin, but he went on doggedly, "I'd like to be quite sure—first. That I'm sound, you know—and all that ... I'm going down—to see her—to-night..."
The doctor's eyes began to twinkle as McTaggart laughed boyishly; then, gravely, he answered him.
"You're quite right—I wish more men would take that view of marriage! It's the sane one, the only one that's going to do any good to the race."
Quite unconsciously McTaggart had started him on his hobby, Eugenics. He felt drawn to the young fellow, with his frank speech and handsome face.
"I want you now, if you'll be so kind," McTaggart persisted—"to examine my heart. We're alone—it's a non-stop train—as private as any consulting room. But, of course, I know it's an odd request..." he stammered a little, hunting for words—"unprofessional, perhaps..." he broke off, finding it impossible to suggest a fee in the way he wished.