Chapter 63

Dr. James, meanwhile, had much to ponder over concerning Cowperwood’s illness and the financial burdens which troubled him. As for the Bright’s disease which the London physician had suggested might be so swiftly fatal, he knew of related cases that had endured for many years. Yet there were aspects of Cowperwood’s case that were serious. For one, the dilation of the stomach, and for another, the acute pains that attacked him from time to time; certainly these, along with his mental disturbance in regard to his business affairs, might do him great harm. Another disturbing factor was his worry over various problems in connection with his past life, about which James knew a great deal—his first wife, his son; Aileen, and other attachments which had from time to time been commented on in the newspapers.

What to do, what to do for this man for whom he cared so much! What particular thing, apart from medicine, might tend to restore him, if for no more than a period of time! The mind! The mind! If he could only mentally, as well as medically, influence his mind to come to its own rescue! Suddenly he felt that he had stumbled upon the required idea. This was that Cowperwood must be strengthened to the point where he would be willing to go on a leisurely trip abroad, not only to interest him in a change of scene but to cause the public, both in England and America, to be astonished by the news that he was well enough to be traveling, so that people would say: “Why, this man isn’t sick! He’s so much recovered that he can travel and enjoy himself! ” The effect of this would probably not only restore Cowperwood’s somewhat depleted nervous energy but cause him to believe that he was well, or at least very much better.

Strangely enough, the place that the good doctor’s mind returned to again and again as a possible solution of his problem was the Riviera, Monte Carlo, the great gambling center. How effective it would be if the press were to announce his presence there, at the gambling tables, among grandiose dukes and Asiatic princes! Psychologically! would that not enhance Cowperwood’s standing as a financier? A thousand to one it would!

The next day, when he returned to Pryor’s Cove and thoroughly examined Cowperwood, the doctor put forth his suggestion.

“Personally, Frank, ” he began, “I think that in about three weeks you should be well enough to leave here and take a nice leisurely trip. So my prescription now is that temporarily you abandon this life here and go abroad with me.”

“Abroad? ” queried Cowperwood, his tone expressing his astonishment.

“Yes, and do you want to know why? Because the newspapers would certainly take note of the fact that you were able to travel. That’s what you want, isn’t it? ”

“Quite! ” replied Cowperwood. “Where do we go? ”

“Well, Paris, may be, and probably we might go to Carlsbad—a most detestable watering place, I know, but excellent for you physically.”

“For God’s sake, where do I go from there? ”

“Well, ” said James, “you may have your choice of Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and the Riviera, including Monte Carlo.”

“What! ” exclaimed Cowperwood! “Me in Monte Carlo! ”

“Yes, you in Monte Carlo, as sick as you imagine yourself to be. Appearing in Monte Carlo at this particular time is certain to produce just the reaction you want in connection with yourself. Yet, actually, you need not do anything more than appear in one of the gambling rooms and lose a few thousand dollars, so that the news can be spread abroad. People will comment on your being there, and the fact that it seems to make no difference to you as to the amount of money you toss away.”

“Stop, stop! ” shouted Cowperwood. “If I have the strength, I’ll go, and if it doesn’t turn out right, I’ll sue you for breach of promise! ”

“Do that, ” returned James.

Consequently, after three weeks of constant observation and medication on the part of Dr. James, who had taken up his residence at Pryor’s Cove, Cowperwood himself felt that he was much better, and James, studying him from day to day, decided that his patient had sufficiently revived physically to undertake the travel program suggested.

However, Berenice, delighted as she was to know that Cowperwood was improving in health, was nevertheless troubled by the idea of the trip. She was well aware that rumours concerning a fatal illness would probably disrupt his whole economic plan, but loving him as she did, she could not help conjuring up fears that such a trip might not prove as valuable and effective as Dr. James and Cowperwood thought. But Cowperwood assured her that she had nothing to worry about, since he felt better, and the plan was ideal.

The following week end they departed. And true enough, the London press immediately announced that Frank Cowperwood, recently rumoured to be seriously ill, was apparently so completely recovered as to be able to indulge in a pleasure tour of Europe. A little later there were still other newspaper items, from Paris, from Budapest, from Carlsbad, Vienna, and from Monte Carlo, fabulous Monte Carlo. The papers emphasized this last information by saying that “the indestructible Cowperwood, so recently ill, had chosen Monte Carlo as a place of pleasure and rest.”

However, on his return to London, the questions put to him by reporters took on a very frank and open character. One reporter asked: “Is there any truth to the rumour, Mr. Cowperwood, that you’ve been seriously ill? ”

“As a matter of fact, my boy, ” replied Cowperwood, “I had been working too hard and found I needed a rest. A вoctor friend of mine did accompany me on this trip, and we’ve just been puttering around the Continent.”

He laughed heartily when the World correspondent asked whether or not it was true that he had bequeathed his priceless art treasures to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“If people want to know what is in my will, ” he said, “they’ll have to wait until I’m under the turf, and I can only hope that their charity is as strong as their curiosity.”

These comments brought smiles to the faces of Berenice and Dr. James as they read them on the spacious lawn of Pryor’s Cove. Dr. James, though steadily conscious of the necessity of returning to New York and his practice there, found himself drawn further and further into the affections of Cowperwood, and Berenice as well. For both were grateful to him beyond measure for having brought Cowperwood back to seemingly normal health and strength. And so, when the time came for the doctor to leave, there was an emotional sense of gratitude and mental union among the three.

“There’s really nothing I can say to you, Jeff, ” said Cowperwood, as he and Berenice walked with the doctor to the gangplank of the steamer on which he was about to leave. “Anything I can do for you is yours to command. I ask but one thing: that our friendship continue as it has in the past.”

“Don’t try to reward me, Frank, ” interrupted James. “Knowing you all these years has been my reward. Come to see me in New York when you can. I’ll be waiting to see you again.” Picking up his bag, he added: “Well, friends, boats wait for no man! ” and with that he smiled and again shook hands, finally merging with the throng now boarding the boat.