The Blue Germ

of his. It was a crisp clear evening, and I decided to walk. There were two problems on my mind. One was the outlook of Sar

n frock-coat I paced sl

ed very deeply into my life, I had never denied the fact that it was the only motive of the majority of my patients. For what was all our research for? Simply to mitigate suffering; and that is another way of saying that it was to increase phys

with men and women returning late from business, or on the way to seek relaxation in the city's amusements. I passed through the throng as through a coloured mist of phantoms. My eyes fastened on the faces

orrying over questions which could not be examined scientificall

t was before me, and within, standing on the ma

evening-dress with a white waistcoat, and the fact p

ing?" I ask

London this afternoon. I met her when I was strollin

I asked. "And can I me

r and she will understand. Leonora is the most marvell

glish?" I

lau

ttle more-and it would be good for you-you would know that she has the most exquisite voice in the history of civilization. She transcends the nightingale because her body is beaut

watch and glan

I observed, after watching him a moment. "W

tain

hen you say you intend to mak

So far I have been unsuccessful, becaus

intend to

at me in

have ever been so famous as yo

ied the bright throng

c? Don't you think that it will take months before the po

You are impossible, Harden. You are a mass of doubts and appr

r. From a shoulder hung a red satin cloak. Round her neck was a string of large pearls, and in her hair was a jewelled osprey. She presen

at him with a smile so slight that it seemed scarcely to disturb the perfect symmetry of her face. He began to talk, moving his whole body constantly and making gestures with hi

what awkwardly an

ain. He was closely connected with the great discovery of which I am going to tell

" said Leonora, in

oft. The luxury of these establishments was always sounding a curious warning deep down in my mind. But then, as Sarakoff had said, I am a pessimist, and if I were to say that I have noticed

ried to serve us; and the eyes of everyone in our immediate neighbourhood were turned in our direction. Leonora did not appear to be affecte

your discove

ed, enc

r discovery means if I begin by telling you that I am

turned to me and st

Richard read my

ed succ

h?" she asked wi

ardonable familiarity in callin

ng an immense effort, and longing for the waiter to

ou mus

akoff's eyes were twinkling roguishly, s

power of knowing exactly what you want to do with your li

I sleep badly?"

are of rather slight build. I am merely sp

y gracious or well-spoken. Leonora simp

ell me about my

I decided to allow that wizard to t

sons best known to themselves. I think you must come from Venus, or one of the asteroids;

drawled, "you

ed woman in Europe, Leonora. You value yourself before everything. You think your voice and your beauty cannot be beaten, and you are righ

e vitality spra

ed quietly. "Have you disco

e laid her ha

does its e

a consider

re cer

olut

ned tow

e have it, Alexis," she

f glanc

you are ve

cour

who is going to have the elixir. Th

y in the fact of its discovery. In that respect, I fancied, she was typical of a large class of women-that class that thinks a doctor is a magician, or sh

u and I have the elixir?" She raised her eyes and turn

an flushe

orld must have it. It can't be confined. It must spr

shud

oes he mean?" S

do away with all dise

make me

n. It will more probab

dered for a while. I could see nothing in her appearance tha

ous. That will be nice, but I am sorry you should have given the elixir to Birmingham first. Birmingham is in no need of an elixir, my friend. You should have put something else in their water-supply." She turned to me and examined me with calm criticism. "What a pity you didn't discover the elixir when you were younger, Richard

atching her through half-closed lids

my vo

e that ... indef

She looked into the distance and

friend, you have done me a service. I will not forget it." She looked at him and laughed slightly. "But I do not think you

a little. I

mistaken," said

ook he

kly and I will take you both to

n a deep couch of green satin and gazed at a Chinese idol cut in green jade, that stood on a neighbouring table, with all my senses lulled by the charm of her singing. The sense of responsibility fell away from me like severed cords

removed my gaze from the Chinese figure, which

prised to find that Leonora had visitors. I could not h

smoothly. He crossed to the piano and l

id not even know you ha

to go down to Maltby Towers. I came up t

rned towards us. Leonora rose

friends of mine. They will soon be very famous-more famous than you are

tly passing surprise shewed that he recognized Sarakoff. Leonora menti

m." She struck a match and lit the cigarette. I noticed she actually smoked very little, but se

axed. He had evidently deci

en Sarakoff before. "A germ that is going to keep us all young

eady," replied Sara

looked steadily before

all

ng Cross Station the

ng Cross

e Russian, but he seeme

tents of my bag. Six tubes containing a blue-coloure

d, smiling slightly. "Yes, I regret

anarchist?" cried Leonora. "You

e this. He glanced at a thin gold watch

remarked gravely. "You are quite occupied,

said lazily. "Sit down. Tell me ho

and then looked firmly at Sarakoff. "Do I understand, sir, that

ssian

it in a day or tw

ermission

ad no pe

are making a very extrao

fect

he lower part of his face seeme

bble," sa

an, turning upon her. "Ho

u are g

compelled to go abroad again, but when I return I shall institute a vigorous and detailed enquiry into your movements, which are highly sus

for good," murmured Leonora. "He

you say?" as

"That is, if you have told me the truth, Alexis. Oh, isn't it wonderful!" She jumped up and threw o

come true

arms slowly an

ow long lov