"All right, then we'll keep it." Murray turned to the doorway. "Come on down and let's get breakfast."
Half an hour later, the three partners were just pushing back their chairs from the breakfast table when they caught the sound of loud voices coming from the hotel office. The voices drew nearer, then in the doorway appeared the figures of Doctor Scudder and Piute.
"That's him," and Piute pointed out Bill Hobbs.
His face white with anger, a copy of the Helngon Star clenched in his hand, Doctor Scudder faced the amateur printer with blazing indignation.
"This is an outrage! As sure as my name is Scudder, I'll have you jailed for this criminal——"
Murray stepped between the two men, in an attempt to pacify his brother physician.
"One moment, sir," he intervened. "Our friend here is not a printer and has allowed himself to be carried too far through his unfortunate ignorance of the libel laws. As a professional man myself I can realize how you must feel; but if you will allow me to explain the matter——"
Murray checked himself. In the blazing black eyes of Scudder he suddenly read a scornful anger that was now directed against himself.
"I don't desire any explanation from a man of your character, Doctor Murray," snapped Scudder. "I recognize you; you are the once eminent member of a profession which you disgraced! I have exposed you to Mr. Lee and his daughter in your true colors, as a dope fiend and one who should have been long ago ejected from the medical fraternity——"
It was at this point that the fist of Murray collided violently with the countenance of his colleague. Doctor Scudder was flung backward, caught his foot against a chair, and fell into the corner; he sat there motionless, staring up with one hand clapped against his bruised cheek, in his eyes an expression of dazed, but virulent enmity.