I folded the letter and returned it to the envelope.
“Did Dr. Bennett explain what those other activities might be?” I asked since it seemed possible that it might have something to do with recent events.
“He didn’t discuss the specifics of his cases with me,” Mrs. Bennett replied. “However I do know that he was frustrated by what he referred to as antiquated practices that often left someone maimed from an injury when additional care might have prevented a patient from losing a limb.”
I thought of Mr. Cavendish who maneuvered about incredibly well considering his previous injuries that had resulted in the loss of both legs. However I did wonder what new treatments might now be done for such wounds that would restore the use of the legs or arms.
What more did this tell me about Dr. Bennett?
That he was devoted to his profession, driven by the tragic loss of his brother, perhaps brilliant as his wife insisted, and then frustrated by the restrictions placed on him by others of his profession and the Medical Society?
“Did he perhaps mention a specific case that he was particularly concerned about or had assisted with?” I then asked.
“Anything at all that might provide a clue to what he was working on? Perhaps a recent patient with a difficult injury, a new treatment that might not have been looked favorably upon by others at St. James?”
“There was a case some months ago,” she hesitated.
“Please continue.”
“A young boy. Joseph is so partial to children. We cannot have children, but he has always been particularly taken withthem and anything he might do to help them. The boy was injured quite severely when he was attacked by one of his father’s hunting hounds. It was an accident to be certain, the child was teasing the animal and it had lunged at him.
“According to my husband, the boy’s face was badly injured, however, it seems that he was able to repair most of the damage.”
I wondered what the boy’s parents might be able to tell me about the injury and the child’s recovery.
“I understand that Dr. Bennett has published a book about some of his cases and his work. Publishing can be such a daunting process. Might I see it?” I inquired.
She looked at me with some surprise and for the first time I caught a faint smile.
“Of course, although I don’t know what you hope to find. I tried to read it once and gave up— all the medical terms and that sort of thing that meant nothing to me. I’ll get it for you.”
She rose and briefly left the parlor. She returned a short time later.
The book was impressive in size with embossed leather binding.
“Might I take it with me?”
There was a look of surprise.
“I suppose there is no harm… if it will help in any way.”
She was obviously doubtful in that regard.
“Of course you may take it. I understand that you are published as well.”
I didn’t go into that, as my efforts were somewhat different than a medical procedural text. I then inquired about the name of the little boy’s family.
“I have no idea how that might be useful, but of course.” She wrote down the name of the family and handed it to me.
“Do you believe that some accident may have befallen my husband?”
I knew from Brodie that it was often better not to mention possible theories that often only had the effect of causing more distress for families.
“I have some additional inquiries that I want to make,” I replied and thanked her for meeting with me, along with the name of the young patient and his family as well as the doctor’s book.
What more might I learn?
The hound had disappeared during the time that I met with Mrs. Bennett. He returned abruptly as I left the building at Belgrave Square with something suspicious in his mouth.
