Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-24
H CASES OF PAUL BECK, RlIE Thumb DETECT

from among the rocks. right in the
track Of the rushing bicycle. The rider
yelled at him. but the man stood stu
pidly stock still. heading him on from
the one chance s OF SAFETY: ,. NJ ~ bee se
saddle rs they struck. But the man
leAped aside, and az the machine flashed
past he grasped the frame with one
hand and the sadd1e-bar with the other.
against the shock.
with a short, aerce strain. In which
every muscle in his young frame had q
part. he brought the bicycle to q dead
Mr.. Beck slipped on his machine in q
second, and turned to thank his deltv-
erer.
The next moment tho bright. blue
own. the white teeth showed in . pleas
ant smile, and he recognized Malachy
kirwan at a glance
II was over but for you. SIR was all
MI. Beck said. but he managed to put
good deal of feeling into that one
1T was a pretty close shave,- the
young man answered in a very pleasant
brogue in it. ALLOW me. sir. ride
myself. In an instant he fitted the
handle-bar, which hung on by the
brake rod. back in the upright socket
with the wrench.
Thank you" said Mr.. Beck, but 1
don't think Til mount just now"
They walked down the hill together
and in i've minutes Malachy Klrwan was
talking Of his private affairs as freely
as though his chance companion were q
lifelong friend.
Malachy Kirwan, as was natural. nd
not think as highly Of DR.. Kirkaddy as
did the Widow Muldoon It was DIR.
Hv2 1T 90
join the league, he said. and It was
the doctor who had the news of his
joining secretly conveyed to his uncle.
But there's no use crying over spilled
to how it got spilled. I start for
America in q week. I've enough to
take me there and give me q start in q
small way In the new world. and my
girl will wait"
They parted like old friends at Mrs.
Muldoon's door. Mr.. Beck made him
promise to dine with him the next
day, but one. I've been to America"
he said. "and can give you some let
tiers that may help-f you go there.
evening. After dinner he sat smoking
at the open window till bedtime, gaz-
ing vacantly over the broad sea-
Next morning he walked a little lame
Muldoon was too quick to notice it
Tive strained my ankle, I'm afraid,
masam," said Mr.. Beck, and thereupon
he told her of the bicycle adventure
But sure it's not out ON the whhn-
gig you're goin' again?
No. ma'am; don't feel mp to Il. I
think I'll try little fishing this morn
ing. Mr.. Krwan tells me there's nice
trout stream close by. II you win lend
me a spade I will 6y If I cannot get
garden
90
Don't you attempt the like, and the foot
SO bad with you"
But Mr.. Beck inoisted on digging the
worms for himself, and it CHANGED that
he chose the quiet corner near the big
gooseberry bush, which Mrs. Muldoon
had pointed out as the grave Of the
dog Jack.
In a dozen strokes of the spade he
came on the remains Of the dog. He
drew the repulsive, fou-smelling car
it with curious care and interest, even
taking strong magnifying glass from
his waistcoat pocket for the purpose.
Then he threw it back into the hole,
covered it up and walked back to the
house very lame indeed.
I'D see the docthor about It at
wanst, II I was you, said Mrs Null
doom: .'there is no knowing what it
now, that can't be beat for cleverness."
Does he live far from here?"
mo more nor a stones throw. You
can see the place from the window;
the green door with the brass knocker,
fornfnst the post Office"
Yes, DR.. Kilkaddy was at home, Mr..
Beck was told when he knocked Would
the gentleman kindly step into the
surgery? The doctor would be down
in a moment.
Mr.. Beck kindly stepped into the
surgery. The room was as much lab
oratory as surgery. There were jars
and glass test tubes Uttered about, and
a gas stove in a corner and a powerful
microscope in a prominent place on
the table,
On the corner Of the same table lay
the doctors silver lancet case. Mr..
fiddling with the lancets. He slid the
tiny blades from their tortoise-shell
sheaths and examined the points Curl
ously. Then he put the lancets back
into the case and dropped the