"He must come now. Go for him at once, doctor."

"If you say so," returned Doctor Angier, with some coldness of
manner; "but I cannot tell how soon he will be here. He does not go
out until after eight or nine o'clock, and there are two or three
pressing cases besides this."

"I will go," said Mr. Ridley. "Don't think me rude or uncourteous,
Dr. Angier. I am like one distracted. Stay here until I get back. I
will bring Dr. Hillhouse."

"Take my carriage--it is at the door; and say to Dr. Hillhouse from
me that I would like him to come immediately," Dr. Angier replied to
this.

Mr. Ridley ran down stairs, and springing into the carriage, ordered
the driver to return with all possible speed to the office. Dr.
Hillhouse was in bed, but rose on getting the summons from Dr.
Angier and accompanied Mr. Ridley. He did not feel in a pleasant
humor. The night's indulgence in wine and other allurements of the
table had not left his head clear nor his nerves steady for the
morning. A sense of physical discomfort made him impatient and
irritable. At first all the conditions of this case were not clear
to him; but as his thought went back to the incidents of the night,
and he remembered not only seeing Mr. Ridley in considerable
excitement from drink, but hearing it remarked upon by one or two
persons who were familiar with his life at Washington, the truth
dawned upon his mind, and he said abruptly, with considerable
sternness of manner and in a quick voice: