“Why not?”

“Because I am not her doctor.”

“You will become so.”

“It is impossible.”

“I do not find it at all impossible that you should be called in consultation.  I have not forgotten that your thesis was on the paralyses due to the affection of the spinal cord, and it was remarkable enough for us to discuss it in our ‘parlotte’ of the Rue de Vaugirard.  You have, therefore, authority in the matter.”

“It is not on account of having written several works on the pathological anatomy of medullary lesions, and especially on the alterations of the spinal ganglia, that one acquires authority in a question so comprehensive and so delicate.”

“Do not be too modest, dear friend.  I have had, lately, to consult my Dictionary of Medicine, and at each page your work was quoted.  And, besides, the way in which you passed your examinations made you famous.  Every one talks of you.  So it is not impossible that Mademoiselle Phillis, relating that her mother was cured of a similar paralysis, will give Madame Dammauville the idea of consulting you, and her physician will send for you.”

“You will not do that?”

“And why should I not do it?”

They looked at each other a moment in silence, and Saniel turned his eyes away.

“I detest nothing so much as to appear to put myself forward.”

“In this case it is no matter what you detest or like.  The question is to save this unfortunate young man whom you know to be innocent; and you can do a kind deed and aid us.  You examine Madame Dammauville; you see with which paralysis she is afflicted, and consequently, what exceptions may be taken at her testimony.  At the same time, you see if you can cure her, or, at least, put her in a state to go to court.”

“And if it is proved that she cannot leave her bed?”

“In that case I shall change my order of battle, and that is why it is of capital importance—­you know that that is the word—­that we should be warned beforehand.”

“You will make the judge receive her deposition?”

“In any case.  But I shall make her write a letter that I shall read at the desired moment, and I shall call upon her physician to explain that he would not permit his patient to come to court.  Without doubt, the effect would not be what I desire, but, anyhow, we should have one.”

CHAPTER XXVI

A GOOD MEMORY

After Phillis, Nougarde also wished him to see Madame Dammauville; this coincidence was not the least danger of the situation that opened before him.

If he saw her, the chances were that she would recognize in him the man who drew the curtains; for, if he was able to speak to Phillis and Nougarede of an affection of the eyes or of the mind, he did not believe in these affections, which for him were only makeshifts.

When he reached Madame Cormier’s, Phillis had not returned, and he was obliged to explain to the uneasy mother why her daughter was late.