The doctor laughed. "Well then, proceed to business. What's troubling you, governor?"
Billy looked down at the stubby toes of his shoes. He was thinking just how he would best conduct his system of inquiries. Presently he looked up and said: "You've known Aunt Hester a long time, haven't you, doctor?"
"Ever since we were smaller kids than you and Ruth."
Billy nodded. "Did you ever see them dolls her and her sister used to have, waxy ones, dressed in pink and blue?"
The doctor looked at him sharply and answered in a more reserved manner, "Yes, I remember them."
"Well, have you any idea who Miss Hester gave hers to? She said she didn't give it away till she was grown-up, and I thought maybe you might know."
The doctor drummed thoughtfully upon the arm of the desk chair which he had swung partly around toward Billy. "Why do you want to know?" he asked presently. "And why do you ask me?"
"Well, I knew you were an old friend; you've got the major's cane, you know, and I didn't know but you could tell something about the doll. This is why I want to know." And he launched forth into a tale of Ruth's trouble.
The doctor did not interrupt him, but at the close of the story, he muttered under his breath:
"Humph! That's just like a Petty." He looked Billy over with a smile. "See here, youngster," he said, "you were a wise little owl to come to me with that tale, for the fact is that I do know to whom Miss Hester gave that doll and I also happen to know that it is still in existence."