“It was t’other spalpeen that meant to rob me, docther.”
“One is as bad as the other; this one would have helped had it been necessary.”
“Oh, doctor,” protested the aggrieved Saxy, “how can yer think such a crool thing of a gentleman like me? I was just going to stop Buzby when yer spoke up.”
The physician lowered his weapon with a laugh.
“Off with you! I hope never to see the face of yourself or Buzby again. You may drink your coffee if you wish before you leave.”
But the tramp had lost his thirst as well as his appetite for the time. He came unsteadily to his feet, and began moving gingerly over the trail of his companion.
“I say, doctor,” he said, pausing a few steps away, “if you feel like firing off that little thing in your hand, please p’int t’other way.”
“I shall take your request into consideration, but don’t advise you to bank on my granting it.”
Saxy increased his pace until it equalled that of him who had gone before. Dr. Spellman extended his hand to Mike.
“I hope that is the last of them. I supposed they left the neighborhood, but they will do so now.”