Jim MortimerBell, R. S. Warren (Robert Stanley Warren)
General
Jim Mortimer
Bell, R. S. Warren (Robert Stanley Warren)
London (England) -- Fiction; Physicians -- Fiction
With a sorrowful heart Koko hailed a cab and drove to the nurses’ home.
He had experienced too many of the telephone’s delays. At the home he
promptly engaged a nurse, waited while she packed her box, and then
conveyed her to No. 9, where he confided her to the care of Mrs Maybury.
After this Koko made his way to a telegraph office in the Strand, and
inquired whether he could wire to Threeways. He was told that he was
too late. He therefore wrote out a telegram, briefly informing old Dr
Mortimer of what had happened, and left it with the clerk at the counter
to be dispatched directly the office opened on the following morning.
Then Koko, worn out, sought his bed. At ten the next morning he had to
appear at the Blackfriars police court to answer the charge of "causing
the death" of the bandaged Hooligan, and also to give evidence against
the six roughs in custody.
About eleven the next morning Dr Mortimer arrived at No. 9, and was
ushered up to Jim’s bedroom. A brief examination told him that his
grandson was very far gone indeed, and so without delay he drove to
Harley Street and alighted at the door of Trefusis, the first authority
on spine trouble. Dr Trefusis promised to proceed to Derby Crescent
immediately. A few doors lower down lived Sir Savile Smart. Dr
Mortimer was so fortunate as to find him in.
"Smart, I want you to come and look at my boy."
"Jim! What’s wrong?"
"The Hooligans have been at him. I want you to meet Trefusis and give
an opinion. Brain and spine injuries. You’ll come?"
"My shoulder hurts; but I’ll come with pleasure."
By one o’clock Jim had been examined by the two great surgeons. During
the process they both looked grave, but at the end of it Sir Savile drew
a deep breath of relief.
"He’s a tough young dog. We shall pull him through, Trefusis?"
The spine man looked doubtful
"We may. He’ll be unconscious for a week. When he comes round we shall
be able to tell better."
Then the specialist turned to Dr Mortimer.
"I will do my best for your boy, sir. He may live. I cannot say with
certainty. A great deal depends on the nursing. I’ll come to-morrow.
Good-day.
Soon after the two surgeons had driven off, Koko arrived at No. 9. He
had satisfied the magistrate that he had shot the Hooligan because his
own life was threatened, and had subsequently given some solid evidence
against the six prisoners, all of whom were committed for trial. Koko,
however, had still to attend the inquest on the dead Hooligan, to be
held two days later, and exonerate himself from all blame.
Mr Maybury introduced Koko to Dr Mortimer.
"This is your grandson’s great friend--Mr Somers."
They shook hands.
"I thought your name was Coke," said the old Doctor.
"Jim calls me Koko because I am rather bald," explained Somers, meekly.
"And you saved Jim’s life last night?"
"I shot----"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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