Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-09-14
Continued.

ter CUAlue15 OF me place sNSAlS~ ~ -
fresh him.
AT the end of a few minutes he
stood perfectly still, thinking; and
then going 10 one Of the shelves, he
ran his hand softly along the top row
ol small bottles, took one, and turned
down the gas.
As he entered the consulting
again. he glanced at the label, nodded
his head I'm a satisfied manner, and
after a glance at his patient he seemed
to make up his mind what TO do.
Perhaps shall sleep" he thought,
and III do he may wake. Il Will be a
simple way"
He smiled as he took the glass into
which he had previously poured the
brandy. and poured in a little more, to
which he added sugar. and half filled
the glass with not water from the ket-
tie
He will be sure to drink that" he
said. as he replaced the glass within
easy reach If the sofa; and then re-
moving the stopper from the blue bot
tie he held. replaced it partly in the
neck. rested IL upon the edge Of the
steaming glass. and began to count the
drops which fell.
Oue-twO-three.
Each drop at an interval after the
one which had preceded IL. while with
his left hand he steadied the lumber.
AS the third drop fell into the glass
there was a strange noise Outside-a
dull scufiing OF feet, mutterings OF
voices. and then a low imperious tap
ping on the panel of the door.
At the first sound the doctor turned
his head Sharply and gazed in the d.
rectiOn OF the door, while the rest OF
his body seemed to have become fixed
in a Cataleptic state, save that his eyes
dilated and his Jaw dropped.
A. meanwhile, slowly and steadily,
drip rip-drip-drip. the globules
OF fun fell from the tip OF the blue
bottle into the steaming glass at last
in quite a stream.
A strange dread had overcome the
doctor. His patients words about his
diamonds had proved to be true: were
the rest, then, true-that he had been
pursued BY men whose aim il was to
plumber. perhaps murder him. and they
had really traced him down here?
Bah. am I turning childish" said
the doctor starting up. and letting the
stopper fall back into its place in the
bottle. Just as his patient mOaned
slightly. turned impatiently in his
sleep. and the ulster glided to the
floor"
The doctor stopped quickly, raised
il, and threw it over his patient, and,
as he bent over him. listened intently
10 the repetition OF the tapping.
1T might be" he said softly. "Pishi
absurd, The wanderings OF a dis
eased mind
Catching up the bottle from where
he had placed IL on the table. he
walked quickly towards the door,
paused, returned. and stopped as IL to
pick up the poker. Then smiled at
his folly.
He passed softly out OF the door.
and closed II after him. to go to the
shelves in the dark, where he made a
clicking noise among the bottles. as he
reached up; for there in the darkness
the feeling once more assailed him
that his patient might be right while
for the third time. more plainly heard
now, there came "A sharp tapping.
The doctor crossed TO the gas
bracket turned ii up. and as its light
filed the surgery. ne walked boldly
TO the lobby door, opened it, and the
duh red glare from the fanlight over
the outer door sh0ne upon his hand
some placid face.
The next moment he had opened the
outer door. and was gazing at a group
OF three men.
Mark Heath's announcement flashed
through his brain once more, and then
gave place 10 the ideas furnished by
his visitors.
Thought you were a-bed. Couldn't
find the bell. This cursed fog, sir
Our friend here knocked down by a
cab. and we saw your red light as we
were trying TO get him to our hotel"
Tut. tut. TUT" calculated the doc
tor. Bring him in, gentlemen"
He glanced at his visitors. Saw
that they were well-dressed men in
listers and low-crOwned hats, and that
the speaker was a well-built fellow
with a closely-cut beard while an
other was a rather Mephistophelean- .
looking man, with cheeks closely
shaver, and upper lip bearing a bristly
mOustache.
Between them they supported al
slight, yOung-looking companion. who
was moaning slightly. but evidently
making an effort to be firm.
Mind. Harry-ROgers, he said, in
a high-pitched voice. 'it's as If some
thing red hot was running through my
chest Ah-h-h!"
support him, gentlemen" said the
doctor. Mind he doesn't faint. Here, /
quick! Here."
He spoke in sharp, decided tones. as
he directed and hnlnnd them IN Law the