In
fact, it was nature's method of keeping the body clean, and if
people were unreasonably fastidious about such things a little
cologne would render them even more agreeable to the senses than
any number of baths. That was the purpose of cologne. This habit
of bathing at fixed intervals of a week or two, regardless of
conditions, might be, and probably was, responsible for all of
O'Reilly's rheumatism. Mr. Carbajal, for one, knew better than to
overdo the thing. He had never suffered an ache or a pain in his
life and his teeth were perfectly sound, as he demonstrated by
beating vigorously upon them with his mixing-spoon.
O'Reilly was impressed by this argument, he acknowledged, but
unfortunately it did not remedy the pain which was killing him.
During the hottest part of the day, when he knew the town would be
asleep, he reappeared in the cafe, his cheek in his hand. He
declared that something had to be done, at once, and inquired the
name and address of the best local dentist.
Mr. Carbajal named several, among them Dr. Tomas Alvarado,
whereupon his guest hurried away, followed at a respectful
distance by the secret agent.
Finding Doctor Alvarado's office was closed, as he had
anticipated, O'Reilly proceeded to the doctor's residence. There
was some delay when he rang the bell, but eventually the dentist
himself appeared.
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