They did not, however, produce much
effect save a contemptuous smile; and Clarendon would generally throw
them to Surama, whose deep, disturbing chuckle upon reading formed a
close parallel to the doctor's own ironic amusement. *       *       *       *       *

One Monday evening early in February Dalton called with the definite
intention of asking Clarendon for his sister's hand. Georgina herself
admitted him to the grounds, and as they walked toward the house he
stopped to pat the great dog which rushed up and laid friendly forepaws
on his breast. It was Dick, Georgina's cherished St. Bernard, and
Dalton was glad to feel that he had the affection of a creature which
meant so much to her. Dick was excited and glad, and turned the governor nearly half about
with his vigorous pressure as he gave a soft quick bark and sprang
off through the trees toward the clinic. He did not vanish, though,
but presently stopped and looked back, softly barking again as if
he wished Dalton to follow. Georgina, fond of obeying her huge pet's
playful whims, motioned to James to see what he wanted; and they both
walked slowly after him as he trotted relievedly to the rear of the
yard where the top of the clinic building stood silhouetted against the
stars above the great brick wall. The outline of lights within showed around the edges of the dark
window-curtains, so they knew that Alfred and Surama were at work. Suddenly from the interior came a thin, subdued sound like a cry of
a child--a plaintive call of "Mamma! Mamma!" at which Dick barked,
while James and Georgina started perceptibly. Then Georgina smiled,
remembering the parrots that Clarendon always kept for experimental
uses, and patted Dick on the head either to forgive him for having
fooled her and Dalton, or to console him for having been fooled himself. As they turned slowly toward the house Dalton mentioned his resolve
to speak to Alfred that evening about their engagement, and Georgina
supplied no objection. She knew that her brother would not relish the
loss of a faithful manager and companion, but believed his affection
would place no barrier in the way of her happiness. Later that evening Clarendon came into the house with a springy step
and aspect less grim than usual. Dalton, seeing a good omen in this
easy buoyancy, took heart as the doctor wrung his hand with a jovial
"Ah, Jimmy, how's politics this year?" He glanced at Georgina, and she
quietly excused herself, while the two men settled down to a chat on
general subjects. Little by little, amidst many reminders of their old
youthful days, Dalton worked toward his point; till at last he came out
plainly with the crucial query. "Alf, I want to marry Georgina. Have we your blessing?" Keenly watching his old friend, Dalton saw a shadow steal over his
face. The dark eyes flashed for a moment, then veiled themselves as
wonted placidity returned. So science or selfishness was at work after
all! "You're asking an impossibility, James. Georgina isn't the aimless
butterfly she was years ago. She has a place in the service of truth
and mankind now, and that place is here. She's decided to devote her
life to my work--to the household that makes my work possible--and
there's no room for desertion or personal caprice." Dalton waited to see if he had finished. The same old
fanaticism--humanity versus the individual--and the doctor was going to
let it spoil his sister's life! Then he tried to answer. "But look here, Alf, do you mean to say that Georgina, in particular,
is so necessary to your work that you must make a slave and martyr
of her? Use your sense of proportion, man! If it were a question of
Surama or somebody in the utter thick of your experiments it might be
different; but after all, Georgina is only a housekeeper to you in the
last analysis. She has promised to be my wife and says that she loves
me. Have you the right to cut her off from the life that belongs to
her? Have you the right----"

"That'll do, James!" Clarendon's face was set and white. "Whether or
not I have the right to govern my own family is no business of an
outsider." "Outsider--you can say that to a man who----" Dalton almost choked as
the steely voice of the doctor interrupted him again. "An outsider to my family, and from now on an outsider to my home. Dalton, your presumption goes just a little too far! Good evening,
Governor!" And Clarendon strode from the room without extending his hand. Dalton hesitated for a moment, almost at a loss what to do, when
presently Georgina entered. Her face showed that she had spoken with
her brother, and Dalton took both her hands impetuously. "Well, Georgie, what do you say? I'm afraid it's a choice between Alf
and me. You know how I feel--you know how I felt before, when it was
your father I was up against. What's your answer this time?" He paused as she responded slowly. "James, dear, do you believe that I love you?" He nodded and pressed her hands expectantly. "Then, if you love me, you'll wait a while. Don't think of Al's
rudeness. He's to be pitied. I can't tell you the whole thing now,
but you know how worried I am--what with the strain of his work, the
criticisms, and the staring and cackling of that horrible creature
Surama! I'm afraid he'll break down--he shows the strain more than
anyone outside the family could tell. I can see it, for I've watched
him all my life. He's changing--slowly bending under his burdens--and
he puts on his extra bruskness to hide it. You can see what I mean,
can't you, dear?" She paused, and Dalton nodded again, pressing one of her hands to his
breast. Then she concluded. "So promise me, dear, to be patient. I must stand by him; I must! I
must!" Dalton did not speak for a while, but his head inclined in what was
almost a bow of reverence. There was more of Christ in this devoted
woman than he had thought any human being possessed; and in the face of
such love and loyalty he could do no urging. Words of sadness and parting were brief; and James, whose blue eyes
were misty, scarcely saw the gaunt clinic-man as the gate to the
street was at last opened to him. But when it slammed to behind him
he heard that blood-curdling chuckle he had come to recognize so well,
and knew that Surama was there--Surama, whom Georgina had called her
brother's evil genius. Walking away with a firm step, Dalton resolved
to be watchful, and to act at the first sign of trouble. 3


Meanwhile San Francisco, the epidemic still on the lips of all,
seethed with anti-Clarendon feeling. Actually the cases outside the
penitentiary were very few, and confined almost wholly to the lower
Mexican element whose lack of sanitation was a standing invitation
to disease of every kind; but politicians and the people needed no
more than this to confirm the attacks made by the doctor's enemies.