“Without doubt.”

“If you were this doctor?”

It was a cry rather than an exclamation.  She wished that he should present himself before this woman; but in that case she would recognize him.

Once more, under the pain of betraying his emotion, he must recover from this first impulse.

“But how can you wish me to go and examine this woman whom I do not know, and who does not know me?  You know very well that patients choose their doctors, and not doctors their patients.”

“If she sent for you?”

“By what right?”

“By what I shall learn on making the concierge talk, could you not recognize her kind of paralysis without seeing her?”

“That would be a little vague.  However, I will do the best I can.  Try to learn not only what concerns her illness, but all that relates to her—­what her position is, who are her relations, which is important for a witness who overawes as much by what he is as by what he says.  You understand that a deposition that destroys the whole plan of the prosecution will be severely disputed, and will only be accepted if Madame Dammauville has by her character and position a sufficient authority to break down all opposition.”

“I will also try to learn who is her doctor.  You may know him.  What he would tell you would be worth more than all the details that I could bring you.”

“We should be immediately decided on the paralysis, and we should see what credit we could accord this woman’s words.”

While listening to Phillis and talking himself, he had time to compass the situation that this thunderbolt created for him.  Evidently, the first thing to do was to prevent a suspicion from arising in Phillis’s mind, and it was to this that he applied himself on explaining the different kinds of paralysis.  He knew her well enough to know that he had succeeded.  But what would she do now?  How did she mean to make use of Madame Dammauville’s declaration?  Had she spoken of it to any one besides himself?  Was it her intention to go to Nougarede and tell him what she had learned?  All that must be made clear, and as soon as possible.  She must do nothing without his knowledge and approval.  The circumstances were critical enough, without his letting accident become the master to direct them and conduct them blindly.

“When did you see Madame Dammauville?” he asked.

“Just this minute.”

“And now, what do you wish to do?”

“I think that I ought to tell Monsieur Nougarde.”

“Evidently, whatever the value of Madame Dammauville’s declaration, he should know it; he will appraise it.  Only, as it is well to explain to him what may vitiate this testimony, if you wish, I will go to see him.”

“Certainly I wish it, and I thank you.”