The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-03-23

the doctor and l. of being left alone with vic
tim, DR.. Matheson, he called himself.
Presently, however, DR.. N4atheson caught
the wing and opened fire. DO you know" he said,
his brow puckering painfully L have the oldest i'm
preston OF having seen policeman's helmet in
that hallway? So hadn't been quick enough!
Strange l said, 1.-The tricks the gas will play
He closed his eyes again, but the frown never
smoothed away. When next he spoke it was to ask
for mirror; land the outhmirror too, if you
please" Wondering, brought what he asked. He
made strike match and hold it the light
fell on his face. After moment of open-mouthed
twisting and turning, he laid down the mirrors and
blew out the match Ask Dr. Willard to step here
he said sharply.
Like schoolboy to the birch the doctor
Matheson eyed him coldly. There's cavity
below the gum ne!" all he said, but OH the
accusing emphasis!
An instant the doctor stood wrggling uncomfort-
ably. Then he looked the man in the eye. There's
use beating about the bush, DR.. Matheson. This
was case OF mistaken identity. The peculiar
formation of the lower jaw mised into thinking
yOu-eh-some else"
"Hah!' quoth Matheson ironically, and shut his
eyes.
We held breath for the question about the
gas. The same idea running in both minds.
He will for malpractice" Professional ruin
stared the doctor in the face. But the man made no
sign.
1t makes me smile to think how ngratiating we
were during the hours which must drag by before
the doctor could take him to his train, how
SNUG faces beled laden hearts; how talked
and kept him taxing to keep him from embarrassing
topics.
At length the hour and the carriage. Elab-
orately bundled up the patient was helped in the
door slammed and was left alone with my thoughts.
could hide it from myself that the doctor would
never have done it but for me. If this story, this
damnlng story were taken into court, it would be
me he would have to thank And would have Civ
my right hand to help him.
I THREW myself on the sofa and lay listening to
the demon shreks of the storm, not knowing
which to dread most sorely the doctors prolonged
absence his return.
The iangle of telephone bell brought m To
my feet. The connection vile but just made
the words. This DR.. Wizards office? He
there? This his assistant? Is that patient still
there? Train gone? Pshaw. This is the
chief of police. He wasn't Ferguson? A
dentist? HIM. I'd like to have look at him my
self That was green officer answered your call
Seems an unlikely thing But then you
know. Well SO longs he's gone good bye"
| had scarcely got the receiver the hook when
the doctor burst in putting and blowing his tlls
sic with the wind. hardly dared look at him For
all the color the cold had brought to his cheeks he
showed ten years older for that mornings work
But his voice, once he got his breath, was reassur
ing.
We'll, JEANNE, guess saved necks. But
it was thing. | Matheson aboard the
express and did my best to make matters right. l
must say he was very magnanmous Said he UNI
derstood perfectly Qm blest if he does, thoughD
and that any might have been deceived And
he didn't ask single awkward question. Just as
the train was starting he wrote me card and said
any time was in Detroit to phone him and he'd
be happy to do the honors.
The doctor drew card from his pocket and alb
senty scanned it. Suddenly he looked closer.
whats the name of this exchange?' he said in an
odd voice.
bent to look Telephone 1882 Jaferguson."
second later was ringing up the chief The
connection was all right that time for his snort of
disgust hurt my ear But you tahe him." |
cried Hes on the Twilight express
'Yess drawled the chief with exquisite sarcasm
and he got off at Trinity Place! You couldn't have
lost him better! Unless, you know, the whole thing
is hoax
So there you are. Was it Ferguson, and did he
risk the DerDetratiOn of a Oka2 Or
was it really dentist from Detroit and did he
the name Ferguson in his anaestfetic sleep? The
doctor says on second thought he can't imagine a
dentist going round with teeth like that: he'd get
em Strengthened or have EN- out and put in false
ones. The Detroit directory doesn't show any den
fist named Matheson at least not with the
ipitala he Ut add Il,,tt lcu