why Mr. Pauling’s so keen on having him come to and talk?”
The elder man gazed at his assistant in a peculiar manner.
“No!” he snapped out at last. “And I’m not fool enough to ask or wonder. It’s none of our business and I intend to follow orders to the letter. But you can bet it’s something important. Just peep outside the door.”
With a puzzled expression, the young doctor opened the door cautiously and looked to left and right. On either hand, standing silently, but with watchful eyes, were two heavily built men, dressed in civilian clothes, with soft, dark felt hats on their heads and, even to the intern’s unpracticed eyes, detectives.
“Guess there is something doing,” he remarked as he closed the door, “couple of Bulls out there. What do they think—that he’s going to jump up and run with that face and with both eyes burned out?”
The other glanced up from where he was bending close above the cot and raised a finger for silence. Then, an instant later, he straightened up.
“Get Mr. Pauling at once!” he commanded. “Tell him the man is liable to become conscious at any instant—that he may live, but if he wants to be sure he had better come immediately.”
In the mean time, at the Pauling home, Tom had been relating his story of the strange and exciting events which had taken place under the river.
“Now, Son,” said Mr. Pauling, as Tom had thrown himself upon the lounge in the library while his mother hovered anxiously over him, “if you feel able, tell us all about it. Rawlins told us the main facts while you were getting over your fainting spell, but, as many important matters and far-reaching consequences may result from your discoveries and captures, I would like to know all the details. Just as soon as you feel tired, stop. Your health and welfare are the most important things—everything else can wait if necessary. I would not ask you now, only I know your mother is anxious to hear the story and, moreover, if I am called to the hospital, I would like to have as much information as possible. A lot may hinge on that.”
“Oh, I’m quite all right, Dad,” Tom assured his