CHAPTER V.
THE MEETING WITH ELSIE.
In his wild desire to get away somewhere, Hodge had fancied he must be putting distance between himself and Elsie. Instead of that, he had hastened to her. There she was coming along the path. He stood still and stared at her in amazement.
The man grasped his arm with a grip that seemed to crush flesh and bone.
“You must not tell her that I am the strongest man in the world!” he breathed hoarsely. “Promise me you will not tell her!”
“I promise,” said Bart.
“That is all I ask,” said the man, in a low tone, releasing his hold on Hodge. “I see by your face that you are a young man who values his word.”
Then he lifted his voice, and answered:
“Here I am, Miss Bellwood. What do you want?”
“Oh, doctor!” called Elsie, “we met with such an adventure in town. The horses ran away and James fell off.”
Bart had drawn back. He would have slipped away, had it been possible to do so without being observed by the approaching girl, for he felt that he was in no mood to meet Elsie then.