He went out promptly and was surprised and pleased to find Mr. Anderson, the old G. A. R. man who had been knocked down by the automobile on the Long Island road.
They shook hands heartily.
“I’m mighty glad to see you!” exclaimed Joe. “I didn’t expect you’d be able to get back to Boston so soon. Those Islip doctors must have been right on the job.”
“They fixed me up fine,” agreed Louis Anderson. “Everybody’s been mighty good and kind to me since I was hurt. You especially, Mr. Matson. I want to thank you for the money you left for me with the doctors, and which they handed to me when I was coming away.”
“Oh, that’s all right,” said Joe, “and half of that was from Mr. Barclay, the young man who was with me. Here he comes now,” he added, as Jim sauntered out of the dining room and joined them.
He greeted the old man heartily, who thanked him also for his kindness. Jim waved it away as a trifle.
“Found out anything yet as to who those fellows were that ran you down?” he inquired.
“Not a thing,” said the old man sadly. “I only wish I could. I’d make them pay for what they did to me.”
“And we’d be witnesses for you,” declared Joe warmly. “It was one of the most brutal things I ever saw.”
“They ought to be made to pay up handsomely,” added Jim, “and they’d be mighty lucky to get off with that.”