Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-06-04
CHAPTER x

Dick thrilled little when she used
the word ''us"; he had distinctly used
the singular pronoun. and it was her
own choice Of the plural He rea-
soned that, consciously or unconscious
ly, the word implied trust in him
that he had not dared to believe be-
fore
He watched her graceful movements.
as she cleaned and washed her hands
and arms, dried them on q roller towel,
removed the apron, touched her hair
with deft hands, and then, after read
justing her boudoir cap, nodded to
him.
"Follow me. I'll take you to him"
Doctor Alster was a short, thick-set
man of perhaps forty, with black hair
and beard, and dark, shifty eyes
Dicks first impression was not very
favorable. When he stepped forward
to meet him, the eyes under the shaggy
brows widened In surprise, and then
narrowed swiftly to small pin points.
I'm glad to meet you, DOCTOR" Dick
said, advancing with extended hand.
The other grunted and stared back
suspiciously. "WhO are you, sir?" he
demanded truculently
"a friend of Miss Cutters. You
heard her say that"
"But your name?'
For the present, names are imma-
terial Pm greatly concerned about
Mr.. Cutters Health. How is he?"
Bad, sir-very bad" was the reply,
accompanied by solemn shake of the
head
"Can l see Mr.. Cutler?' Dick asked.
"See him!" repeated Alster in sur
prise Then, frowning and shaking his
head, he added, "No, sir, | couldn't
grant that request. 1t might prove
dangerous to him In his weakened con.
dtion."
eff he's unconscious, what harm
could come of it? You can't surprise
or shock an unconscious patient"
"He might regain his senses for a
moment, and the sight Of stranger"
"a friend"
"Well, even a friend he didn't ex-
pect to see here might give him a
shock that would kill him"
Dick smiled with exasperating cool
ness. Alster's face slowly mottled and
turned red. Losing his polite manners,
he asked abruptly, "Who are you, sir?
Aren't you the stowaway that came
down here unbidden"
81 came down on the yacht. If you
oh fn oil
right"
'Mr. Blake was telling me about
you," added the doctor. Hes been
very anxious to see you. I'll summon
him."
'It isn't necessary" replied Dick.
"I've met Mr.. Blake several times"
"I'll summon him at once
He moved toward the door. Dick
made no attempt to detain him. 1t
opened and closed behind the man, the
lock clicking in response to the turn
of the key on the outside. Dick smiled
On the other side he could hear
voices in an alteration. Alice Cutler
was speaking authoritatively.
"You must give me that key, doctor
at once"
Il can't, Miss Cutler" replied the
other. Hes a dangerous man, and
must summon Mr.. Blake"
"I1l be responsible for him." cut in
the girl. "Are you going to give me
that key?"
NO. Miss Alicel'
There was the sound of heavy re-
treating footsteps, gradually dying
away in the distance Then a voice
called softly through the keyhoIe
"You must escape! Mr.. Blake will
be here soon."
Don't worry about me, Miss Cut
ler," Dick called back. 81 can take
care of myself. ut''-hesitatingly-
II wouldn't put too much faith in
Doctor Alster. i don't believe he's
for u.s."
Dick had surveyed the outlook
through the window with just such q
possible contingency in view, and 1t
required little exertion or hazard on
his part to climb out on the roof OF
the back porch and slide down one
of the pillars. Before Blake and
Doctor Alster appeared in the room
he was In the woods, watching the
window at a safe distance.
"Blake will know by this time I've
escaped from the cave" he meditated.
Therefore, he'll set MCGEE on my
trail again. Perhaps this time I'll be
prepared for him."
His visit to the house had satisfied
him on two doubtful points. The first
and what seemed the more important
to him, was that Alice Cutler had
come to believe and trust in him. She
no longer viewed him as an enemy or
troublesome interloper. The second
point he had cleared up In his mind
was that Doctor Alster was friend
Of Blake's and in league with him.
"That means three to one against
me, not counting Marie" he reflected
LI.A I. nnf In