The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-11-11
BY s. D. LTEBERFAN

Doc Hines Writhed inWardly with Q welter of emotions endangerina the usual co1nplacency of his pro- fessional unrufkled exterior. But to Sam Purvis, who sat in the chair across the desk from the doctor, facing the window; he was just an- other country medico, one whom he had chanced to consult by mere accident.
 Doc placed his flngertips together and listened with all outward ap- pearancese of grave attention to the rambling story of his ailment as Purvis unfolded it. Actually, what was going on in Docs mind would have done little for the re- assurance of Sam's peace of mind.
 "A natural progression" Doc was analyzing as he slowly appraised his patient. Twenty years ago it was merely moral cowardice, with advancing age physical fear is there too. Hm-mp
 Sam stopped talking and ginger ly rubbed his stomach in illustra- ton of his n1onologue. Think you can fix me up something right away, Doc? I've got to be in Philly this afternoon and I don't want to waste any more time than I have to-"
 T guess I can. Just sit over closer to this table and roll up your sleeve" His slim strong fingers busied themselves expertly with a syringe, his thoughts arranging themselves just as deftly as he bent over his medicine kit and swiftly extracted 8 vial.
 It would afford him the great est satisfaction in the world to wrap those same steely fingers around the porcupine neck of this man who, after nearly twenty years had dropped suddenly into his hands. But that would never do. The same law which had blindly made him an outcast so long ago was still functioning.
 Sam Purvis winced slightly as the colorless liquid disappeared into his veins. Doc, noticing it, smiled thin ly to himself and dabbed at the tiny perforation with some cotton.
 That bleeding will stop in g minute or two," he offered, "but it will take 8 little while for that medicine to have any effect" He walked to the window and stood looking out at the almost deserted street of the little village.
 Twenty yearsl A long time since he, innocent of the robbery Purvis had managed to cause him to be found guilty of, had lied his home and family, changed his name, and started life anew. The sight of Pur- wis caused his grievance to fankle afresh, like a smoldering fire that had been raked over.
 He turned to his patient. "How does it feel now?" Purvis felt gin- gerly of his arm and grinned.
 "A lot better, doc. All right to roll the sleeve down again?"
 "If you want to-" the doctor as- sented, and watched him narrowly as he considered carefully his next words. "But maybe you won't want to after you hear what's happened to you!"
 Purvis looked up, startled. "Why, what do you mean, doc?" The phy- sician hesitated, savoring the situ- ation fully, before he again sat ir his chair andl ooked steadily at hi obese patient.
 "First of all, want you to know that am not Dr. Hines at all, but Jimmy Holden remember him?" Flushed of face, Purvis half rose from his chair and stared closely at him.
 "Iou you," he choked. What have :ou done to me?" Hines waved him back into his chair.
 "Take 1t easy, Purvis. see you do remember me-. I've just given you enough chloral hydrate to fln- ish you in half an hour, unless :" Purvis's eyes grew round, terror filled.
 "My God, doc, this is murderl I can't die, I can'tl" Purvis sobbed. Isn't there some way we can adjust this?"
 Doc Hines regarded him sardon- ically. What could pay for years of being 8 fugitive, of losing every thing dear to one? The situation amused him more and more, as he noted with a grim sort of satisfac- tion Purvis' mounting terror.
 "There is only one thing you can