‘An orbital aneurysm. Miller ligatured the carotid artery, as was the recognised practice at that time, but when the patient died the post-mortem demonstrated that the vagus nerve had been included in the arterial ligature.’

‘But that must have been such a long time ago. They are neighbours and always seemed to me to be on good terms. Surely that cannot be the cause.’

‘Much can be hidden behind courtesy and politeness, especially by those waiting for their moment to strike. A case of “nursing his wrath, to keep it warm” perhaps. They do say you can take the measure of a man by the calibre of his enemies, and I predict that in time Dr Simpson will cross swords with greater men than these.’

Raven sighed.

‘Can anyone be trusted in this profession? Can you count anyone as a true friend?’

‘I would not have thought one so young could sound so weary,’ Ziegler said. ‘Instead of seeking an answer to that question, perhaps you ought to be the answer you would prefer.’

Raven tucked in the end of the bandage and checked that it was sufficiently tight. He placed a hand on the patient’s abdomen, felt the now firmly contracted uterus and congratulated himself on a job well done. He thought about how many deliveries he had attended over the past few years, how much he enjoyed dealing with straightforward cases and how he was now able to manage the complex ones. He reflected upon how much he had been taught, most of it by Simpson.

He still marvelled at the swelling of the pregnant abdomen, a new life contained inside, at his ability to feel the position of the child through the abdominal wall, to hear the foetal heartbeat with a stethoscope, an innovation Dr Simpson was keen on. Not everyone was as convinced of the stethoscope’s utility – some thought it had the appearance of quackery – but as usual Simpson was unconcerned with other people’s displeasure. He would endure disapproval and censure if he thought that he was right.

When it came to the Johnstone case, though, it wasn’t about being right, it was a question of honesty. Was Simpson being professionally dishonest, as he had once accused Miller? Was he attempting to cover up a mistake? Was he so concerned with his reputation that he would do such a thing? Raven found that difficult to believe. Perhaps he should have agreed to help Sarah after all.

She had been interrogating him about Mrs Glassford that morning, wanting to know details of the condition she was suffering from and the likely prognosis. He had skirted the truth as he had not wished to upset her. He knew Sarah had been spending time with Mrs Glassford, talking to her whenever she came to Queen Street, and visiting her at home.