“Just receipt the bill,” requested Mr. Leeth.
While Tom was signing his name to the receipt for the money, the office door opened, and some one came in. The boy did not look up to see who it was, but he heard Mr. Leeth exclaim:
“Ah, come right in. I’ve been waiting for you. Did you bring the papers and the cash?”
“Yes, but I had a hard time getting the money. The old doctor is getting rather suspicious of late. I trusted his faulty memory——”
The speaker paused suddenly, evidently in response to a warning gesture from Mr. Leeth, for the newcomer had not observed Tom, who was standing at a desk behind the door.
“Thank you, sir,” said our hero, as he folded up the check, put it in his pocket, and prepared to leave. As he turned he came face to face with Barton Sandow.
It would be hard to say who was the more surprised, the man or Tom. Mr. Sandow started, and seemed about to say something.
“Ah, are you acquainted?” asked Mr. Leeth in surprise.
“I have met Mr. Sandow,” replied Tom, while Dr. Spidderkins’ brother-in-law murmured something unintelligible. Then, as the man who had called Tom a gutter-pup did not notice him, the boy passed out.
“I wonder what he’s doing in there?” our hero thought, as he walked down the dimly-lighted corridors. “And he must have been referring to Dr. Spidderkins, when he spoke of the money and papers. I wonder if the old doctor is safe with those two?” he went on, as he thought of the queer actions of Mr. and Mrs. Sandow, and how incapable the aged physician, with his failing memory, was of looking out for his own interests.