THE CRIME DOCTOR

By ERNEST W. HORNUNG

Author of Raffles, The Amateur Cracksman, The Thousandth Woman, etc.

With Illustrations by
FREDERIC DORR STEELE

INDIANAPOLIS
THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY
PUBLISHERS

Copyright 1914
The Bobbs-Merrill Company

PRESS OF
BRAUNWORTH & CO.
BOOKBINDERS AND PRINTERS
BROOKLYN, N. Y.

"It was struck with—this"

CONTENTS

THE CRIME DOCTOR

[Pg 1]

I

THE PHYSICIAN WHO HEALED HIMSELF

In the course of his meteoric career as Secretary of State for the HomeDepartment, the Right Honorable Topham Vinson instituted many reformsand earned the reformer's whack of praise and blame. His methods werenot those of the permanent staff; and while his notorious courageendeared him to the young, it was not in so strong a nature to leavefriend or foe lukewarm. An assiduous contempt for tradition fanned theflame of either faction, besides leading to several of those personaladventures which were as breath to the Minister's unregenerate nostrils,[Pg 2]but which never came out without exposing him to almost universalcensure. It is matter for thanksgiving that the majority of hisindiscretions were unguessed while he and his held office; for he wasnever so unconventional as in pursuance of those enlightened tactics onwhich his reputation rests, or in the company of that kindred spirit whohad so much to do with their inception.

It was early in an autumn session that this remarkable pair becameacquainted. Mr. Vinson had been tempted by the mildness of the night towalk back from Westminster to Portman Square. He had just reached homewhen he heard his name cried from some little distance behind him. Thevoice tempered hoarse excitement with the restraint due to midnight in aquiet square; and as Mr. Vinson turned on his door-step, a young manrushed across the road with a gold chain swinging from his outstretchedhand.

"Your watch, sir, your watch!" he gasped, and displayed a bulbous hunterwith a monogram on one side and the crest of all the Vinsons on theother....