waist line; but for all that I spots him the minute he hits the brass
gate, which he does about ten minutes before closin' time.

"Dr. Bingstetter?" says I cautious.

"I am he," is the answer.

"S-s-s-s-sh!" says I, puttin' a forefinger to my lips warnin'.

"S-s-s-s-sh!" echoes the Doc, tiptoein' through the gate.

Then up comes Piddie, walkin' on his toes too, and the three of us does
a footpad sneak into Old Hickory's office. There wa'n't any wild call
for me to stay as I knows of; but as long as no one threw me out I
thought I'd stick around.

I must say too the Doc looked and acted the part. First off he sits
there blinkin' wise behind his glasses, and not a sign on his big,
heavy face as he listens to all Piddie and Mr. Ellins can tell him
about the case. Also when he starts askin' questions on his own hook
he makes a noise like a mighty intellect changin' gears.

"M-m-m-m!" says he, pursin' up his lips and studyin' the bouquet
thoughtful. "Six ox-eyed daisies, four sprays of goldenrod, and three
marshmallow blooms,--thirteen in all. And this is the fourth bunch.
Now, the others, Mr. Ellins, they were not precisely like this one,
were they?"

"Blessed if I know!" says Old Hickory. "No, come to think of it, they
were all different."