Listen to me, my boy! There are a hundred and
twenty thousand folk in this town, all shrieking for
advice, and there isn't a doctor who knows a rhubarb pill
from a calculus. Man, we only have to gather them in.
I stand and take the money until my arm aches."
"But how is it?" I asked, as we pushed our way
through the crowd. Are there so few other doctors?"
"Few!" he roared. "By Crums, the streets are blocked
with them. You couldn't fall out of a window in this
town without killing a doctor. But of all the----well,
there, you'll see them for yourself. You walked to my
house at Avonmouth, Munro. I don't let my friends walk
to my house at Bradfield--eh, what?"
A well-appointed carriage with two fine black horses
was drawn up at the station entrance. The smart coachman
touched his hat as Cullingworth opened the door.
"Which of the houses, sir?" he asked.
Cullingworth's eyes shot round to me to see what I
thought of such a query. Between ourselves I have not
the slightest doubt that he had instructed the man to ask
it. He always had a fine eye for effect, but he usually
erred by underrating the intelligence of those around
him.
"Ah!" said he, rubbing his chin like a man in doubt.
"Well, I daresay dinner will be nearly ready. Drive to
the town residential."
"Good gracious, Cullingworth!" said I as we started.
"How many houses do you inhabit? It sounds as if you had
bought the town.
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