Page:Herbert Jenkins - Return of Alfred.djvu/73

 "and I shouldn't lose any time about it if I were you," he added.

Smith was startled by the decisiveness of the tone in which the advice was given. It was obvious from the doctor's manner that the position was a serious one. Perhaps, after all, it would be the best thing to get away from what might involve him in serious difficulties.

"Why?" he demanded.

The other shrugged his shoulders with the air of a man who has said all he intends to say.

Smith walked over to the French windows, and gazed out upon the lawn where a starling was strutting about, as if trying to impress upon everybody that he had not over-slept.

Suddenly Smith heard Marjorie's voice asking Willis something about a bowl of roses. Decision came to him with a flash of inspiration.

"I'll be damned if I do!" he said, turning to Dr. Crane.

"That is inevitable, in any case," was the grim retort.