I was on the verge of telling Garth about the queer feeling, but decided it was merely a product of my imagination. Hoping to draw the doctor out of his shell, I instead broached the subject dwelt upon in his recent article.
Always before, he had been wont to freely discuss with me his research projects, but tonight he manifested unusual reticence. However, the natural enthusiasm which Garth always accorded his work at last came to the fore, and his reserve was in some measure broken.
"As a matter of fact, Ray, since you were last here I've made gratifying progress in work to which I have given years. The French scientist, Alexis Carrel, proved that cells can survive indefinitely outside the body. In 1912 he experimentally placed a portion of a chicken's heart in a special tissue culture. Connective tissue cells and muscle fibers continued to grow. They were still reproducing themselves 34 years later, at the time of Carrel's death. As long as the "broth" containing the tissue was supplied with the necessary nutrients, and as long as waste products were eliminated, the fragment of heart flourished.
"The stuff of which we are made is potentially immortal, Ray!" Garth spoke with uncommon vehemence. "I hope to surpass Carrel in maintaining life outside its natural environment."
My interest was greatly stirred, and I urged the doctor to continue. But hesitancy entered his manner, indicating uncertainty as to whether or not he should further confide in me. There followed attempts on his part to divert our talk to other matters.
After a short period, during which our rather strained conversation had dwelt upon trivialities, my friend excused himself. "I should like to check on an experiment I have been conducting in my laboratory. I hope you don't mind. I'll be back shortly."
Alone in the room, I found myself curious as to the nature of the experiment he had mentioned. Very faintly, the sound of Garth's footsteps in his work chamber on the floor above me could be heard. Frequently, I had been invited into his laboratory to observe for myself the results of his studies and experiments, but tonight no such invitation was extended. I was puzzled by his unwontedly restrained, secretive manner.
