I do not know the address at Clifton. At Rajpoor it is Stephen Bonsor, Esq.----
RHEINHARDT.
Bah! that is what I have. Have you a "Bradshaw"? I will go to Clifton.
CARLYON.
But you can"t mean to go to Clifton to-night?
RHEINHARDT.
If I can get a train!
[VERA _meantime has fetched him a "Bradshaw," which he puts down on the_ British Medical Journal.
[_Sarcastically._] I was not aware that Miss Carlyon any longer professed an interest in these studies!
[_He examines "Bradshaw"_; VERA _does not reply, but joins_ CARLYON _down centre_.
CARLYON.
[_Apart, to_ VERA.] What made you think he was going himself? He may be only going to write.
VERA.
No, I am sure he is going!
CARLYON.
Why, the operation has never been attempted?
VERA.
Yes. That was what I wanted to show you just now. Steinmetz has done it four times, and killed the patient each time. The _Journal_ is indignant. He can hardly mean to try it! But he won"t tell us; he wouldn"t even speak to me!
CARLYON.
We"ll soon see that! [_Approaching_ RHEINHARDT.] By the way, Doctor, I see that your old master, Steinmetz, has been very successful in performing that operation on the brain, that young Adene----
RHEINHARDT.
Steinmetz my master? Steinmetz was never my master! You call it successful, you call it Steinmetz"s section? Very well, I do not complain! It is Steinmetz"s section because he has cut open five people and killed four--[_Movement of_ VERA _and of_ CARLYON]--and he is my master because I have only cut open two and killed none! He is your great man.
VERA.
[_Excitedly._] You have done the operation yourself?
RHEINHARDT.
I only followed him; he showed the way. When have I said anything else?
And if I do not kill my people it is because I have no originality, I am a plodder, a second-rate man! Bah! he is a bungler!
CARLYON.
Then you _are_ going to India to operate on Adene?
RHEINHARDT.
What does it matter--I am n.o.body--what I do? Good-night.
CARLYON.
Stop a moment. Vera has just reminded me that we have got a later address. If you are going to operate, or think it possible, we must telegraph to him to come back at once.
RHEINHARDT.
I will not telegraph. What can I promise him? "Come back and let me see if it will kill you to cut out a big bit out of your head!" I will go and find him.
VERA.
[_With a sheet of paper on which she has just been writing._] Look, Dr.
Rheinhardt, this is the right address.
[_Gives it him._ CARLYON _frowns, with some surprise_; RHEINHARDT _hesitates, then takes it ungraciously_.
CARLYON.
I advise you to telegraph all the same. The climate of India will be very unfavourable for his recovery.
RHEINHARDT.
Climate? Bah! it has a hundred climates. I shall start to-morrow if there is a steamer. Good-night!
CARLYON.
But you will have to wait three hours for a train.
RHEINHARDT.
Well, there is a waiting-room.
[_Exit_ RHEINHARDT. VERA _is motionless for an instant, then starts after him_.
CARLYON.
[_Peremptorily._] Vera!
VERA.