The Washington times., 1937-02-15

dryly when sympathy was off
time of his life.
Nor had Paige fretted over his
unanticipated sojourn at the Gray
Lode Mine. Stafford had secured
comfortable accommodations for
him in the company's clubhouse,
where several of the bachelors
among the younger executives
were ouartered and where their
married seniors drifted in after
dinner for cards and pipe-chat.
He presumed there were two
Staffords, but he was totally un-
prepared for his first glimpse Of
the sub-Stafford. So much Of tAe
DR.. Sidney Stafford as had been
candidly on display was rather
noisily amiable.
On a couple of occasions, Newell
had tried to sound him out con-
corning his work in the research
laboratory in Montana, but his re-
plies were laconic and the conver-
sation was swiftly led into other
quarters. When Newell persisted,
Stafford waved the subject aside
with a dismissing gesture OF his
pipe.
The Government was trying to
find out what was the source OF
spotted fever, that was all. They
had been at it long enough to
know that the virus was carried
by some sort of insect-a wood
tick. likely-and now the job was
to find what manner Of poison the
hug carried, and where he got it,
and under what circumstances he
made use of it. Then-if they
ever discovered these facts-douot-
less they could contrive an anti
toxin.
Damned tiresome job" said
Stafford and waved his pipe to IN
dicate he was ready now to talk
about something more interesting.
SCI should think there would be
plenty of danger in your tick ouSl-
ness" Newell had remarked.
"Oh, now and then" Stafford
had replied, offhandedly. Mostly
dull and nasty tinkering with bug
iuice . Ever take any special IN
%eraSt in hacteriolOgV?"
VERY much. If I hadn't gone in
for surgery, might have moved IN
that direction, I think"
Ever find time since school
days" asked Stafford, Ito squlnt
into a microscopic"
"Yes-quite often. 1t was little
hobby. I OWN a Greenhougn
Binocular."
my uncle!" shouted Stafford.
I'll say it was little hobby"
On the sultry morning that
Newell made his startling dlscoV-
ery of the subStafford that was
not on public view, he had dropped
in at the hospital to take Ingram
the papers.
Stafford was slumped down in
his swivel-chair with his elbows on
the desk and his face in his hands.
He looked up, heavy-eyed.
Hope I'm not intrudlng, SAID
Paige. Anything I can do?'
"No Stafford's voice was thick.
'Iook at that wire. Spauldlngs S
dead; my chief, up there. you
know. Died of it. Closest trleno
I ever had. The dirty stuff JuSt
melted him down. Sick eight
hours And practically alone, ex'
cept for old Murray, our orderly.
And here I was-safe as a baby
In a cradle-spending my time
daubing iodine on sore thumbs
while Spauldlng was up there oy
himself risking his life-and los
ing it -. Just been talking 10 san
Francisco. I'm to be relieved mere
in the morning. So I can go back.
III be in charge now. Alone, too
until I can find somebody that's
as big a damn fool as am
DO you think I am?" asked
Paige quietly.
Stafford slowly drew himself up,
leaned heavily against the desk
and looked him Squarely in the
eyes from under level browS.
Don't say that, Paige, unless
YOU mean it," he growled.
Il mean it. Stafford. I'm going
with you"
do you realize that it may cost
you your llte?"
Paige nodded, and offered Stat
ford a cigarette.
Can you be ready to go at noon
tomorrow"
"ouite" Paiges eyes were shin
ing.
stafford studied him with frank
interest.
"I hope" he drawled meanlngly,
that you're not thinking OF this
as some sort of pleasure ex-
cursion."
mo" said Paige seriously. II