Blue followed. Curiosity made him bolder than usual.
A knock brought no response. Another rap, more authoritative than the first, and yet another and another left the two still listening for the sound that did not come. Finally the doctor grasped the knob and slowly opened the door. Blue had drawn back, ready for flight; but he peeped around the corner—the room was vacant! The small adjoining apartment was also empty of life.
“Bet they couldn’t pay their rent!” ventured the boy. “Lucky I got my fifty cents last night. He gave me that for going after you.”
“You are fortunate. It doesn’t look as if I should get rich on the case, does it?”
“Didn’t they pay you?”
The physician shook his head.
The lad suddenly grew grave. His hand closed over the silver piece in his pocket.
“You can have this.” He thrust his half-dollar into the doctor’s palm.
“No, no! Keep your money—”
“But you earned it more’n I did!” protested Blue. “You saved the kid’s life, and you ought to have it.”