Carlyon Sahib Part 24

I do not know the address at Clifton. At Rajpoor it is Stephen Bonsor, Esq.----

RHEINHARDT.

Bah! that is what I have. Have you a 'Bradshaw'? I will go to Clifton.

CARLYON.

But you can't mean to go to Clifton to-night?

RHEINHARDT.

If I can get a train!

[VERA _meantime has fetched him a 'Bradshaw,' which he puts down on the_ British Medical Journal.

[_Sarcastically._] I was not aware that Miss Carlyon any longer professed an interest in these studies!

[_He examines 'Bradshaw'_; VERA _does not reply, but joins_ CARLYON _down centre_.

CARLYON.

[_Apart, to_ VERA.] What made you think he was going himself? He may be only going to write.

VERA.

No, I am sure he is going!

CARLYON.

Why, the operation has never been attempted?

VERA.

Yes. That was what I wanted to show you just now. Steinmetz has done it four times, and killed the patient each time. The _Journal_ is indignant. He can hardly mean to try it! But he won't tell us; he wouldn't even speak to me!

CARLYON.

We'll soon see that! [_Approaching_ RHEINHARDT.] By the way, Doctor, I see that your old master, Steinmetz, has been very successful in performing that operation on the brain, that young Adene----

RHEINHARDT.

Steinmetz my master? Steinmetz was never my master! You call it successful, you call it Steinmetz's section? Very well, I do not complain! It is Steinmetz's section because he has cut open five people and killed four--[_Movement of_ VERA _and of_ CARLYON]--and he is my master because I have only cut open two and killed none! He is your great man.

VERA.

[_Excitedly._] You have done the operation yourself?

RHEINHARDT.

I only followed him; he showed the way. When have I said anything else?

And if I do not kill my people it is because I have no originality, I am a plodder, a second-rate man! Bah! he is a bungler!

CARLYON.

Then you _are_ going to India to operate on Adene?

RHEINHARDT.

What does it matter--I am n.o.body--what I do? Good-night.

CARLYON.

Stop a moment. Vera has just reminded me that we have got a later address. If you are going to operate, or think it possible, we must telegraph to him to come back at once.

RHEINHARDT.

I will not telegraph. What can I promise him? "Come back and let me see if it will kill you to cut out a big bit out of your head!" I will go and find him.

VERA.

[_With a sheet of paper on which she has just been writing._] Look, Dr.

Rheinhardt, this is the right address.

[_Gives it him._ CARLYON _frowns, with some surprise_; RHEINHARDT _hesitates, then takes it ungraciously_.

CARLYON.

I advise you to telegraph all the same. The climate of India will be very unfavourable for his recovery.

RHEINHARDT.

Climate? Bah! it has a hundred climates. I shall start to-morrow if there is a steamer. Good-night!

CARLYON.

But you will have to wait three hours for a train.

RHEINHARDT.

Well, there is a waiting-room.

[_Exit_ RHEINHARDT. VERA _is motionless for an instant, then starts after him_.

CARLYON.

[_Peremptorily._] Vera!

VERA.