Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-08-13
CHAPTER XVI
The profe..or., secret.

The Professor Secret.
To the doctors infinite amaZement,
| Mr.. Philbrick appeared in the door
way of the little chamber. He glanced
down. raised his hand, as il 10 warn
the doctor not to cry out. turned about,
and. with his face toward the cham
Der. carefully closed the door. Then
he nodded. as if satisfied of something,
and slowly descended the stairs. His
clothes were wringing wet, one OF his
hands was bleeding. and there were
scratches and bruises on lis cheek.
lis there a fire anywhere in the
house, doctoig" he asked, with a shiv-
or. ''lhe Miniski is confoundedly cold
tonight"
He spoke in a WHISPER. and the doe
tor answered in the same way:
Come TO thS Kitchen
Profoundly mystified aid awed with
a sense that the shadows were about
TO be cleared from Fairview, the doc
tor led the way TO the kitchen. where
Philbrick promptly made for the stove.
sYou must have dry clothing said
the doctor, impatient though he was
to ask questions. Il brought an old
/ SUN III "hIh AAS Il N1h-~ $500
4 my own house
Don't get them. doctor" interrupted
Philbrick: but II you've a mind TO 20
outside and get a bundle OF my own
clothes. under the piazza. near the
steps. | knew | should need them.
and so came prepared"
He ~chuckled, in his familiar, self
satisfied way, as he observed the doc
tors surprise.
my bath wasn't involuntary this
time, nor the other, either" he added.
DIR. Williams Wen out of doors,
found Philbrick's bundle OF clothing.
and took it in. Philbrick was halt-dis-
robed when he returned, and his light
ness Of manner seemed 70 disappear
with his dripping garments. The doc
tor found towels Tor him in the kitchen
press, and stood aside until he was re-
labi.ated. AS men sometimes con
fess themselves too full for utterance,
so the doctor was too greatly curious
to ask questions. lie waited for Phil
brick to offer an explanation.
We'll, doctor" said the latter. at
last, 81 understand your gestures 10
mean that you wanted me 10 call.
Here | am. What ear | do for your"
You have app,leDtly done what |
wanted" responded the doctor. Il
wanted that chan Der opened. ! could
not force the door without n noise that
would ala-m Miss Willis. l wanted to
get word to the authorities. SO that a
search warrant might issue, and l
sent the IN Mrs. Hubbard and
Mrs. Appleton, to the village with n
note TO Justice Taylor about rhe mat
ter. I've been expecting an answer for
a long The"
Your ute wasn't delivered said
Philbrick. quietly. II have ii in my
wet clothes somewhere"
You int rcepted the women then:"
exclaimed the doctor, III great dis
pleasure.
Il did: and, of touIse. I'm prepared
to offer every apology 81 d explanation.
l will say. right at the start. that l
don't think YOU would eve have found
what became of the professor if you
had forced that door. 1t was in my
belief that l knew his secret that L
ventured to upset you" plans"
You arrogate n good deal of re-
sponsibiiity," said the doctor, but If
you have any light to shed upon this
matter. and your W connection with
it, l shall not be disposed To quarrel.
You are as much past my understands
ing as the prof .ssor himself. How
did you enter the house! Did you find
Prof. Drummond?'
The doctors curiosity was gaining
expression. n Philbrick smiled
! slightly as he recognized that fact.
NO. TO your last question" he re-
sponded; II am a disappointed man.
The professor has followed Stark
weather"
Indeed! Well, suppose we go ND TO
the chamber, and I'll show you how he
did 1t. The professor, as we are i'm the
habit of calling him, was a wonderful
mechanic. you know"
There's plenty of evidence of that
about the house."
Yes; and II of his masterpieces.
though not to my mind his browning
work, was this continuance for disap-
pcaring. | don't think you will care
to explain 1t to Miss Drummond. so
let's go quietly, and not attract atten-
ton"
They were passing through the din
ing as he spoke. On tip-toe they
went up stairs and entered the little
chamber.
There isn't light enough here"
whispered Phiibrick. Bring a lamp.
or, better, a lantern, and some rope"
The doctor speedily found the desired
articles and returned TO the chamber
with them. PhiIbrick was sitting in a
chair near the door.
II think it's safe enough" he said,
but wouldn't 60 to the bed just yet,
DOCTOR"