We went up through a pass until we found the river again and made our way back to camp. But oh, the nasty mosquitos, the rude monkeys, and the mud. And that is why I am suggesting Singapore as our next adventure. I believe they have quite suitable hotels and sights that one can see from a rickshaw.”
Leah interrupted. “I am so sorry, sister, but you must excuse me. It is way past my bedtime and I must retire.”
“Let me take you, Mother,” Maria said as she stood up.
“No dear, Nurse Carter is standing by. Do not trouble yourself. I know you will want to hear the rest of Agatha’s stories.”
“Another time, perhaps,” Agatha said. “I feel quite worn out myself. In retelling my adventures, I am reliving them all over again. And as I intend to create a slim volume recounting my stories, I believe I shall leave you all in suspense until it is published. Then you can read at your leisure and relive my adventures over and over again as often as you wish.”
She went over to Leah, took hold of her chair, and wheeled her out of the room to find Nurse Carter.
* * *
Every cattleman’s greatest fear is hoof and mouth disease. It means the quarantine and eventual slaughter of all of his animals if the outbreak is confirmed.
Harry had given scant attention to Agatha’s narration last night as his mind was focused on the animals he saw drooling that afternoon. He had worried about it all night and slept fitfully and, upon arising, sent a message to his vet to come as soon as possible that morning.
“You never said how your afternoon went with Miss Fitzwalker yesterday,” Christopher said, as he slipped into his chair after helping himself at the breakfast sideboard.
Harry gave a faint smile as he buttered his toast and applied marmalade. “I fear she may not be the simple young lady she would like me to believe she is.”
“Oh, Harry, who of us is not without fault?”
Harry explained the fake sprained ankle. Christopher laughed.
“But at least she is interested in you. I would not take her wiles too seriously. It is all part of the dance of courting, is it not?”
“Hmm. But my friend, I have a much greater concern right now.”
Christopher had just taken a mouthful of egg and toast and mumbled, “What?”
“Have you ever seen an outbreak of hoof and mouth?” And with that question, he had his friend’s attention.
“I have not. Why do you ask?”
Harry described what he saw yesterday as he showed the cattle to Miss Nora.
“My friend this cannot wait.”
“I know. I am expecting the vet any time now.”
“No, I mean thiscannotwait. We must go out there immediately. If it is what you suspect, then we must get the infected cattle quarantined immediately. We must not wait, my friend.”
“But it might not be. Certainly, we can wait until Dr. Carson gets here to diagnose what it is.”
“They are your cattle, but with fine and expensive animals like you have, I would not hesitate.”
Harry stood, threw his napkin on the table, took another swig of tea and said, “Then I will go out there immediately.”
“And I am going with you,” Christopher said, also rising from the table and grabbing his buttered toast.
* * *
As the two friends arrived at the field where the suspect cattle were being kept, Harry saw, in the distance, a small buggy coming toward them.
“There is the vet. He will be able to tell us what is happening here.”
Harry and Christopher dismounted, having found one of the suspect animals. Harry maneuvered the cow into a holding pen, just as Dr. Carson pulled up, picked up his medical bag, and came running over to join them.
