And the evidence of the sense of vision confirmed the evidence of the sense of touch.
Both men perched themselves on the bed, and looked questioningly into each other’s eyes. Success demands the survival of the fittest, and in the scramble for gold and reputation men may ignore generosity for egotistical and self-serving cant. Parker Steel did not determine to act against his rival, without a struggle. He remembered his wife’s words, and they decided him.
“What are you going to do?”
Parker Steel looked Dr. Brimley straight in the face.
“There is only one thing to be done,” he retorted.
“Well, sir, well?”
“I have no personal grudge against Murchison, but before God, Brimley, I can’t forgive him this abominable bungling. Professional feeling or no, I can’t stretch my conscience to such a lie.”
Dr. Brimley stared and nodded. He was somewhat impressed by Steel’s cultured indignation, a professional Brutus waxing public-spirited over Cæsar’s body. Moreover, he was no friend of Murchison’s, and was secretly pleased to hear another man assume the moral responsibility of injuring his reputation.
“So you will tell the old lady?”
“I take it to be a matter of duty.”