“A Dr. Archie Holoman has a position here as interne?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“I want very much to see him, please.”

“He’s on duty. Just a moment, I think I can get him on the telephone. What is your name, please?”

“Lam,” I said. “Donald Lam.”

“Does he know you?”

“Yes.”

The nurse went over and spoke to the switchboard operator. Then after a minute or two motioned to a phone booth, and said, “You can talk with him in there if you wish, Mr. Lam, or here at the desk.”

I chose the booth. I knew I had to be careful with my approach. I didn’t want him to think I was bluffing. I figured it would be best to let him know I was wise to the play all the way through.

“Donald Lam, Doctor. I wanted to talk to you about exactly what happened when those papers were served on Mr. Birks this afternoon. And I wanted to check your diagnosis on a broken-nose case. I wonder if you’d mind coming down for a moment. Mrs. Cool is here in the cab.”

“What’s the name?” he asked.

“Lam. Donald Lam. You know, the investigator.”

“I’m afraid I don’t place you, Mr. Lam.”

I said patiently, “You remember when you were patching up Bleatie’s broken nose out at Sandra’s apartment?”

“I’m quite certain you’re mistaken,” he said. “You’ve confused me with someone else. I’m not practicing as yet.”

So that was it. He was afraid to have the hospital know he’d been handling any medical work.

“Pardon me,” I said. “I guess I made a mistake there. However, Doctor, I’d like to talk with you for a moment. Is it possible for you to come down? We wouldn’t talk here,” I added hastily, as he hesitated. “Mrs. Cool’s outside in the taxicab. We could talk out there.”

“I’ll come down,” he said, “to find out what the devil this is all about.”

I thanked him, hung up the receiver, and walked out to stand in the lobby, looking through the plate glass windows into the freshness of early morning. After a few minutes, I heard the elevator descend and turned to greet Dr. Holoman. It wasn’t he. A young man stepped from the elevator, walked across to the nurse’s desk. I turned back to look out of the window. After a moment, I heard the sound of low-voiced conversation. The young man walked across to stand just behind me.

I turned.

“You wanted to see me?” he asked.

“No, I’m waiting for Dr. Holoman.”

“But I’m Dr. Holoman.”

I said, “I guess you’re right, Doctor, there’s been a mistake. I want Dr. Archie Holoman.”

“But I am Dr. Archie Holoman.”