The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-19
Chapter XVI TAnkeHlane ShntUa IIIx Tnaal,

Tankeriane Shows His Teeth. The William and Sarah reached Gorehayen in an hour and twenty min utes, and John Shil was put ashore di- rectly she dropped anchor.
 lie made his way to the nearest doc tor, and explained matters to him.
 T know you must be busy" he said after he had answered the doctor $ brief questions but you can ask what fee You like for this case. And If you pull 1t through all right-well, you can have anything 1t is in my power ia give. But must ask one thing of you doctor, and that is secrecy. I don't wish this lady's name"
 T am not in the habit of discussing my patients" the doctor replied stiff ly. M NO, of course not" said John ShiI but this is a peculiar case. I will be perfectly frank with you. This lady is married woman. and if her husband finds her, all tue doctors in the world won't save her. She has run away from him."
 "I understand" the doctor replied, with grim smile, but 1 am not con- cerned with my patients histories, ex- cept where they bear. on the case. Well, can start in five minutes
 Is there no other way of getting to the placer" Shil asked. "It'I be a dead beat all the way back-four hours of it, so Dowsett says"
 "Oh yes," replied the doctor, I've got little motor-launch, and we'll run down in that. A good deal of my prac- tice lies up the creeks in places one can't get to by road. and I've found the launch invaluable We'll get there in an hour and ten minutes.''
 Good man." cried Shil joyfuIly "you deserve to have fine practice"
 You'd better get on down to tbe wharf, said the doctor. I've got a few things to- get together, and you can be telling Dowsett what you're go- ing to do. It'il save time.''
 John Shfl left the house, found Dow sett and explained matters to him. and few minutes later the two men were spinning out of the harbor into the teeth of the wind.
 The doctor, a fine sunburnt young fellow of about thirty, was ar interest ing companion, and he chatted inces- sanity, as though anxious to divert Shil's thoughts from the object of their tourney. He had lived in the district for five years and had much to tell about the marsh folk, about their dis like of doctors. about the Peculiar People, who looked on medicine as the food of the devil, about the storms he had encountered in order to reach a sick bed, about the sailor folk who came and went continually, and whom he often visited on their ships. And then he spoke of the lonliness of the marshland. and how it had entered into the souls of the inhabitants, and how he himself had felt the spell of 1t in some silent creek at night time. But he ended by declaring that he would not exchange his life for the finest practice in the West End.
 And so the journey passed quickly and pleasantly enough, but as the roof of Dowsett's cottage came in view the doctor ceased talking. He knew that nothing would now distract the thoughts of his companion, and that conversation might only irritate him.
 They anchored a few yards away from the hard" and went ashore in the little dinghy. Dr. Hardy tok his bag and went straight upstairs to Laura's room. John Shil stayed in the parlor by himself. Mrs. Dowsett had met them at the door with the news that there was no change. in the patients condition, and the man consoled himself with the thought that he had this to be thankful for.
 When twenty minutes had passed, the doctor came downstairs with a grave face, and, closing the door be- hind him, came over to Shil and laid a hand upon his arm.
 Brain fever," he said clamly. There is no need to be alarmed, but at the same time I may as well tell you that 1t is serious case. I don't believe in doctors telling lies to relatives or friends. She must have perfect rest and quiet and constant attention. I'm going to stay here tonight. Mrs. Dow sett will sleep in the patients room, and Dowsett on the smack. If get time