“Ah, not me, bien entendu . Me, I have the health magnificent. No, to tell you the truth, it is a little complot of mine. There is someone I wish to see, you understand⁠—and at the same time it is not necessary that the whole village should intrigue itself about the matter⁠—which is what would happen if the lady were seen to come to my house⁠—for it is a lady. But to you she has already come as a patient before.”

“Miss Russell!” I exclaimed.

“ Précisément. I wish much to speak with her, so I send her the little note and make the appointment in your surgery. You are not annoyed with me?”

“On the contrary,” I said. “That is, presuming I am allowed to be present at the interview?”

“But naturally! In your own surgery!”