“Doctor Hall just left her and says she is right as a fiddle. I’m the young fellow that telephoned the Police for you. I got back word, early this morning, that your folks finally got home, without any harm to anyone. And say! Maybe there wasn’t some joy when they heard you two were safe with us!”
Tom felt a strange gripping at his throat, and his voice quavered as he replied: “I know there was!”
The young man glanced at the evening dress and then said, “I’m going to loan you one of my long coats to cover those togs.”
Tom responded gratefully, and said: “If I can only do as much for you boys some time!”
“Say,” laughed the soldier, “don’t wish such an experience on any of us!”
Then both laughed. As they reached the house where Polly had spent the night, the doctor opened the door and smiled. When he saw that Tom was feeling as good as ever, he said: “I just hung up the ’phone. A gentleman called ‘Dalken’ told me that they were all coming over to take you away. But I warned him that the entire party would be arrested if they landed on Government Ground without a permit.
“Then I remembered that he might secure a permit, so I said: ‘Anyway, before you people can get here, my patients will be on their way to the Battery.’ I said that, because the young lady ought to be kept perfectly quiet all morning, after such a fearful experience, you know.”
“Yes, I know,” admitted Tom. “And I am glad you said what you did.”
“Now we had her dress dried and pressed, and the little miss will be up and ready to thank you for your courageous deed, in an hour or so,” explained the doctor, significantly.
“Thank you, ever so much!” said Tom, grasping his hand.