Still Arthur was obliged to speak.
'I think I'd better tell you frankly that I'm not satisfied, Dr
Richardson. I can't persuade myself that this lady's death was due
to natural causes.'
'Stuff and nonsense!' cried the other angrily. 'I've been in practice for
hard upon thirty-five years, and I'm willing to stake my professional
reputation on it.'
'I have reason to think you are mistaken.'
'And to what do you ascribe death, pray?' asked the doctor.
'I don't know yet.'
'Upon my soul, I think you must be out of your senses. Really, sir, your
behaviour is childish. You tell me that you are a surgeon of some
eminence ...'
'I surely told you nothing of the sort.'
'Anyhow, you read papers before learned bodies and have them printed.
And you come with as silly a story as a Staffordshire peasant who thinks
someone has been trying to poison him because he's got a stomach-ache.
You may be a very admirable surgeon, but I venture to think I am more
capable than you of judging in a case which I attended and you know
nothing about.
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