The Return of Doctor X Page #3

But that's what I'm trying to

tell you, just like Merrova.

Listen, rigor mortis, if you mention

that Merrova dame's name again, I'II...

I know what you're

thinking. A doctor did it.

- Perhaps myself.

- I'm not saying anything.

All I know is the coroner says

he never saw a case just like it.

- You got the coroner's report?

- Yeah.

- You want to see it?

- Please.

The type of blood found on the

stains in the carpet is group four.

Why, that's impossible, unless

the murderer was wounded.

How do you figure that?

Rodgers was definitely group one.

I've used him in several

transfusions. I'm sure of it.

What is this group one,

group four business?

Well, you see, medical

science has discovered

that the human blood is divided

into four different groups.

Number one being the most rare,

number four the most common.

We must see to it that

certain of these types

are not mixed in the transfusion.

Then would you say that whoever

came into Rodgers' room to kill him

- was looking for number one blood?

- It's possible.

That's why I think the coroner

made a mistake in his report.

So do you mind if I make a

test of these stains for myself?

No, go ahead, Doc.

One, two, four, seven, eleven.

It doesn't matter to me.

All I know is, this

poor guy's number was up.

- Yes, and who done it?

- Go sit down.

If I find out anything,

Lieutenant, I'll let you know.

Yeah, do that, Doc.

And, uh, Doctor,

if I were you, I wouldn't try to go away.

I mean, leave town, or anything like that.

There's one thing I

definitely do know, Walt.

This is not Rodgers' blood. I

checked it with his file specimen.

That's very simple. It's

the murderer's, then.

Doesn't even look like human blood.

A gorilla murder. Oh, Mike.

If you can figure that one

out, we'll have our front page

spread on every newspaper in

the United States for weeks.

I must be ready for the

bug house, or something,

but it doesn't even

seem to be animal blood.

Well, you've got

vegetable and mineral left.

It's no use. Think

I'll call it a night.

You're not giving up, are you, Mike?

No, no, this will take a long

time and I'm pretty tired.

I'll take another look

at it in the morning.

How'd you like to go down and mangle

a few ham and eggs, before you turn in?

- No, I think I'll hit the hay.

- Okay.

If you run across any good

ideas, let me know about it.

- Right.

- Good night.

- Give me a ring in the morning.

- You're on.

West 86th.

You may wait in here. Dr.

Flegg will be back any minute.

Thank you.

Looking for something?

Perhaps I can help you.

I... I was waiting for Dr. Flegg.

What is it you want?

I wanted to speak to him about

a blood smear. I'm Dr. Rhodes.

Oh, Dr. Rhodes. How do you do?

My name is Quesne.

I've often heard Flegg speak of you.

- Yes?

- Yes, he

thinks you show great promise.

Particularly in the study

of blood composition.

That's very kind of him.

Yes, I may wish to discuss that

subject with you myself someday.

I'd like to. Anytime.

Oh, he's ill.

- We're both victims of...

- Of what?

Go on, Quesne, victims of what?

Circumstance.

Go back to your work.

You wanted to see me, Rhodes?

What's the matter? Did

our patient have a relapse?

No, sir, I came here

to ask a favor of you.

Well, speak up, man.

What is it you want?

Your opinion on a blood

specimen, as to group.

Blood group?

You must need a genius

to figure that out.

Have you forgotten your hematology?

Or perhaps you never learned it.

I hate to bother you

this late, Doctor, but

- there's something unusual about this.

- Unusual?

There's something I can't understand.

Oh, very well. Quesne.

Yes, sir?

Dr. Rhodes has a blood specimen I

want prepared for the microscope.

At once.

Strange-looking creature, isn't he?

Yes, rather.

What is it? Terminal

case of primary anemia?

No, he hasn't completely recovered

from a rather severe shock.

He's been a very valuable

man for me, though.

- Has he been with you a long time?

- Yes, a couple of years.

His interest in blood

almost equals my own.

Let's take a look at that slide.

- Ready?

- Yes.

Where did you collect

this smear, Rhodes?

At a murder this morning.

How did it happen you

were called in on the case?

- To identify the body.

- Someone you knew?

Yes, a blood donor.

The man who was supposed to report

to you at the hospital this morning.

Stanley Rodgers.

- Rodgers murdered?

- Yes.

Oh, that's too bad.

Blood group one, isn't he?

- Are you working with the police?

- No, sir.

Then why did you bring this to me?

The police laboratory classified

it as blood group four.

I know it's not one, but I'm

certain it's not four, either.

I disagree. I think the

police laboratory is correct.

It is group four. Is that all?

Well, don't you notice

anything peculiar about it?

Merely the usual chemical changes

accompanying post-mortem coagulation.

I don't know how to explain

it, but hasn't it some sort of

artificial quality?

What have you done?

Clumsy fool.

Go into the office and bandage

it. See that you're more careful.

- Case of hemophilia?

- No, merely a great deal of trouble.

That's the second time

this week he's cut himself.

Well, I'm sorry we were interrupted.

I see no need for further discussion.

This stain is blood group

four and nothing else.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've

a great deal of work to do.

Could I have the slide, Doctor?

- Why, yes.

- Thank you.

You go out this way.

- Good night.

- Good night.

I had to see you.

- What's the matter?

- I feel cold.

My ears are ringing.

I can hardly breathe.

Yeah. You see, Flegg? I told you.

You'll never find what

you're looking for.

- You're a failure, Flegg.

- You're lying.

- What does he mean "you're a failure"?

- Nothing.

Nothing, I assure you.

I haven't failed yet.

Now get out of here.

- Hello, Michael.

- Hiya, Walt. Glad you dropped in.

- Anything new?

- Yeah, I went over to see Flegg last night.

- Oh, what'd you find out?

- He wasn't much help.

He said the police report was right.

But as sure as I'm sitting here,

he knows this bloodstain

isn't ordinary group four.

Who was the fellow

with the pasty face?

- How do you know about him?

- Oh, I was watching from outside.

You followed me? Why

did you do that for?

Kincaid said the murder had

to be committed by a doctor.

- You suspected me?

- Oh no, of course not,

- but maybe Flegg.

- Flegg? That's ridiculous.

All right, ridiculous

perhaps, but possible.

Who was the other fellow?

I've seen him someplace before.

Fellow by the name of Quesne.

He's Flegg's assistant.

You know, Mike, there's something

awful phony going on in that joint.

Good morning, Doctor. Come in.

- Rhodes, may I see you a moment?

- Certainly.

- Alone.

- Pardon me, I was just leaving, Doc.

How's the patient?

Excellent this morning, Doctor.

Temperature practically normal.

Last night, you asked a favor of me.

Today, I'd like to ask

one of you in return.

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