“What do ye make of this, Mr. Brimley?”
Brodie held aloft a rather unusual looking bladed instrument, that drew Mr. Brimley’s attention.
The chemist adjusted his glasses as he inspected the instrument.
“With what I found in that cabinet, it would seem that the good doctor was not only treating the usual ailments, but performing surgeries as well. There are some fine instruments that could be found in a hospital, or a morgue for examination of a body.”
There were also books. I discovered, three to be exact. None were authored by the doctor, however, and all three were written in Latin, and some other language that was vaguely familiar, and included drawings.
One was extremely old and there was no front piece as usually found in published books, my own included, that at least contained an author’s name.
The last one was more of a manuscript that had not yet been published. A good deal of text was also in Latin. In several places was what appeared to be Greek and Egyptian text.
I frowned, French and Latin were the extent of my studies.
“Have ye found somethin’?” Brodie asked. I looked up.
“It appears to be an old manuscript,” I replied. “It’s written in Latin and makes references to Egyptian text. It appears to be made of parchment.”
“Latin ye say?”
I had caught Mr. Brimley’s interest as well.
“I was able to read that much in the first few pages.”
I was forced to admit that I had other interests when at my lessons that had not included ancient Egyptian. Mr. Brimley,however, was substantially more accomplished, no doubt due to his early medical education.
“It is a Latin translation and includes several references in what appears to be some form of Egyptian script. Fascinating,” he added. “However, beyond my abilities.”
Fascinating and confusing. It was not surprising that Dr. Bennett had a knowledge of Latin. That would have come from his formal education as a physician. However, references and writings in some other text? What could that mean?
I thought of Sir Reginald, who had provided the Egyptian panorama and sarcophagi on loan from the museum. He had spent years exploring Egypt and was responsible for the main exhibit that was there now, along with artifacts.
“I know someone who may be able to assist with this. It could tell us something important about what Dr. Bennett was working on that the Society disapproved of so strongly.”
What might the notes for his next book, also be able tell us?
I carefully closed the manuscript. As I did a piece of paper fell from among the pages to the floor. I picked it up.
It was very fine note paper, the sort that someone might keep in their desk to write invitations, or responses to someone over an invitation received. Or possibly at a physician’s office, when writing to someone who had lost a loved one?
My dearest wife,
You have always been my champion,
and believed in me when others did not…
It was here where the doctor had obviously paused, ink from the pen forming a puddle that was now dry, before he had continued with a note he obviously never had the opportunity to give her. And the next line…
I do what I must now do, to keep you safe.
I looked up at Brodie.
“Is there a date on it?”
I shook my head and handed the note to him.
“It would appear that the doctor was about to do something that might have gone against his ethics, his profession, or at the least, the Society of Medicine.”
