He said that the person whom he had killed had influential connections, and that it would be necessary for him to remain in seclusion for a time, and he asked him to take charge of his case, as he had ample means of paying him handsomely.

The surgeon examined the wound, and found it to be indeed a serious one, and, as he thought, probably fatal.

However, having no doubt as to the truth of the story, he had taken the gentleman in, and he remained under his charge until a week before he came up to town.
"For the first month he had been dangerously ill, but he completely recovered.

The surgeon had no reason whatever for doubting his patient being a gentleman; he was fashionably dressed, and had evidently changed his clothes after the duel, as there were no bloodstains upon them.

He was, however, glad when he left, as his conversation did not please him from its cynical tone.