Nick went direct to the Broad Street Station, and took a train at that point for Elmwood, where he arrived about nine o’clock at night.
From the Elmwood Station he went straight to Dr. Abbott’s office.
Fortunately he found Abbott in and alone.
“Hello, Ketchum! I’m downright glad you’ve come. Had you been ten minutes sooner, you would have seen Mackenzie’s son, who just left my office. He came in yesterday, and was awfully cut up over the unexpected news of his father’s death.”
“Was the dog, Rover, with him?”
“Why, no. That is a strange question, Mr. Ketchum.”
“Is it? What is there strange about it?”
“Why should you ask whether the dog was with him?”
“I’ll tell you, Dr. Abbott. I was at the hotel yesterday when young Mackenzie arrived. Rover found him there, and took a great fancy to him. I thought, perhaps, the dog might be following him around.”
“There was something more than that to the meaning of your question.”