“I am quite satisfied with my strength.”
“Are you?” asked the man, as if he really pitied the poor fellow. “That is because you do not know what you are missing. You do not know what it is to feel that you are able to move a mountain if you wish. That is living! It goes all through you.”
Bart turned away. The talk of this lunatic wearied him.
“If you will come to the lodge in the grove,” whispered the doctor, “I’ll reveal to you my wonderful secret. Think of it! I have never before made such an offer to any living human being. I will show you how you may become strong like me.”
“Why should you do this?”
“Because I have taken a fancy to you. Come, come!”
He seized Bart’s arm as if he would force him from the house toward the grove near at hand.
“Stop!” said Bart sternly. “Let go, sir! I will not go with you!”
The man’s eyes seemed to gleam at him balefully through the gloom, and it was plain that he was hesitating. Hodge nerved himself for the struggle, in case he was attacked. But the attack did not come. The doctor’s hand fell from the arm of the student, and he laughed softly.