"But not when there's nobody to carry it."
"Yes, there's that miraculous new messenger boy, wireless telegraphy."
Mr. Heywood was in no mood for argument and said no more as Dr. Alton obviously had little faith in any mysterious messenger. So, for the moment, the subject was dropped.
When the bone was set—and it proved a simple fracture—Mr. Heywood followed Dr. Alton to the door. "I wish, Doctor, you would ask Cyrus how he got his information—just to gratify my curiosity."
"Are you absolutely sure that Ruth did not tell him?"
Mr. Heywood, for answer, stepped back into the hall and called to his daughter, who at once came running down the stairs.
"Ruth," he said, "do you know how Cyrus heard of your mother's accident so soon after it happened?"
"Yes, sir. I told him."
"You!" exclaimed her father. "Why Ruth, you never left the house!"
"And Cyrus," said Dr. Alton, "is at home, confined to the house with a bad cold. At least that's where he ought to be."