He started from the library, Tom following. The doctor got to the door, and was going out, when the telephone boy called his attention to the fact that he had neither hat nor coat on, and there was a cold March wind blowing.
“Bless my soul! I forgot all about a hat,” admitted the aged physician. “I am getting quite forgetful. I was wondering where I could get a copy of the first edition of Carlyle’s Sartor Resartus. I have only a common edition, and I want a rare one. Thank you,” he added, as Tom handed him his hat and coat from the rack.
“Where are you going, Lemuel?” asked Mrs. Sandow, as she suddenly appeared in the hall.
“I—I am going out,” answered the doctor mildly.
“Going out? This cold day! You forgot you were to sign some checks for the grocer and butcher.”
“I thought I made out those checks.”
“No; they were for the milkman and the coal dealer.”
“Well, I suppose I must make them out.”
“Perhaps they will do when we get back,” suggested Tom, for he had an idea the woman was only carrying out the general plan of herself and her husband, to cheat Dr. Spidderkins out of as much money as possible by getting him to sign extra checks.
“What do you know about it, young man?” asked Mrs. Sandow sharply.