“It doesn’t look as if any bones were broken,” he announced, after a careful examination. “But he has received quite a shock and a severe bruise on the head and another on his arm besides all these cuts and scratches.”
He was still at work when an automobile drew up nearby, driven by Bob Nixon. It contained Colonel Colby and Gif.
“My dad! Where is my dad?” demanded Gif excitedly. “Is he badly hurt?”
“The doctor says it isn’t serious, Gif,” answered Jack, catching his chum by the arm, for he could see that Gif was trembling all over. “Take it easy, old man. He only got bumped and scratched.”
There was a good deal of excitement for a few moments, Gif kneeling by his father’s side and holding his uninjured hand tightly. Everyone present could see how much the father and son thought of each other. Then Colonel Colby came forward to greet the man who in years gone by had been his schoolmate at Putnam Hall.
“Tough luck, Fred!” he said kindly. “But we’re all mighty glad that you weren’t killed.”
“Well, I’m glad myself, Larry,” responded Mr. Garrison, and for just an instant his old-time smile flitted across his face.
At first it was decided to take Mr. Garrison to the doctor’s home in Haven Point. But Gif demurred somewhat at this, and Colonel Colby caught the cadet by the arm.
“Would you rather have him at the Hall?” questioned the master of the institution kindly. “If so, I’ll be only too glad to let him use one of the rooms in my house. Young Professor Ditson has left, and your father might as well have that room as not. It overlooks the river and would be an ideal place for him.”