Randy tried the door, and the knob turned readily in his grasp. It was quite late in the afternoon, but by no means dusk yet. However, the slanting glass roof had inside screens to exclude the sunlight. These had been pulled close. They were made of thin cambric and while they were thin and did not entirely shut out the light, they shadowed the interior and for a moment caused Randy to make out his surroundings imperfectly.
Then he saw that someone was lying on a couch set in an embrasure in the wall. Randy approached the recumbent figure. He made out the man he had come to see. Mr. Randall was apparently asleep, and the youth touched his arm.
“Mr. Randall, it’s a messenger from Professor Barrington,” he announced.
The sleeper roused up, turned over, and blinked his eyes in a tired, bothered way at Randy. The latter became concerned at once. The man appeared quite ill. His face was flushed and his eyes watery. As he sat on the edge of the couch he moved to and fro. His hand rubbed his brow in a confused, unsteady way. Then, as he gave a lurch forward, Randy sprang to his side and eased him back on the pillow, the man gasping painfully. His hands were hot as fire and he lay there panting weakly.
“It’s another attack of the old fever coming on,” voiced the sufferer, faintly. “You see, I had a hard tussle of it. The Esquimaux got me just in time. Did you say Professor Barrington sent you?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Randy, “and I’m going straight back to tell him how sick you are. He never dreamed it and I know he will be very anxious about you.”
“Maybe it’s nothing,” said Mr. Randall. “I’ll soon get over it. Feel very much prostrated, though. I—I wish you would tell Professor Barrington to bring a doctor with him. And—on the table. That package. Just take it to him, will you? I’ve got the film in shape. He’ll find directions for the shade and color effects in the envelopes inside.”
“You mean this?” inquired Randy, as he moved towards the table where lay an oblong package.
His fingers tingled as he placed them upon this. The great film! The thought filled the impressible Randy with an awed sense. Here was the great photo production secured at the cost of so much money, patience, intelligence and peril!
Just then the patient uttered a sharp cry and started up on the couch, his eyes wild looking, his hands waving about excitedly.