But if you are really an honest man, and
my friend, you will not hesitate to tell me where this report
originated."
After some reflection, Mr. Query, who stood in mortal fear of the
indignant doctor, resolved to reveal the secret, and mentioned the
name of his informant, Mrs. Simmons. As Dr. Harvey had not heard her
spoken of before, as connected with the report of his intemperance,
he knew very well that Mr. Query's "friendly investigations" had
been the sole cause of his loss of practice. However, to go to the
roots of this Upas tree of scandal, he resolved to pay an immediate
visit to Mrs. Simmons.
This lady could deny nothing; but she declared that she had not
given the rumour as a fact, and that she had never spoken of it
except to Mr. Query. Anxious to throw the responsibility of the
slander upon others, she eagerly confessed that, on a certain
occasion upon entering a room in which were Mrs. Guild and Mrs.
Harmless, she overheard one of these ladies remark that "Dr. Harvey
drank more than ever," and the other reply, that "she had heard him
say he could not break himself, although he knew his health suffered
in consequence."
Thus set upon the right track, Dr. Harvey visited Mrs. Guild and
Mrs. Harmless without delay.
"Mercy on us!" exclaimed those ladies, when questioned respecting
the matter, "we perfectly remember talking about your _drinking
coffee_, and making such remarks as you have heard through Mrs.
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