“Hello!” said the electrician. “Haven't you gone home yet?” “No, not yit. Say, I'll ask you, 'cause I cal'late you can keep your mouth shut if it's necessary: Have you seen the Doctor anywheres 'round lately? He was here, 'cause I saw him when I fust come.” “Who, Dr. Palmer? No; I haven't seen him. Is anyone hurt? Can I help?” “I guess not. John Baxter's sick, but--oh, Lord! Here comes Wingate. He'll talk for a week.” Seth, panting and excited, was pushing his way toward them, shouting the Captain's name at the top of his voice. “Hey, Eri!” he hailed. “I want to know if you'll sign a petition to git the town a fire ingyne? I've been talkin' to a couple of the s'lectmen and they--” “Oh, Mr. Wingate,” interrupted Ralph, “Mr. Mullett's been looking for you. He's over there by the pump, I think.” “Who, Lem Mullett? Is that so! He's jest the feller I want to see. See you later, Eri.” The Captain grinned appreciatively as the convert to the hand-engine proposal disappeared. “That wasn't so bad,” he said. “I'm much obliged. Hey! There's the whistle. Come on, Mr. Hazeltine, if you ain't in a special hurry. Maybe we WILL need you.” They reached the corner by the post-office to find Dr. Palmer, who had practiced medicine in Orham since he received his diploma, waiting for them. Captain Perez, who had discovered the physician on the Nickerson piazza, was standing close by with his fingers in his mouth, whistling with the regularity of a foghorn. “Cut it short, Perez!” commanded Eri. “We're here now.” “Yes, but Jerry ain't.” And the whistling began again. “Dry up, for the land's sake! D'you want to fetch the whole tribe here? There's Jerry, now. Come on, Doctor.” John Baxter was lying just as the Captain had left him, and the others watched anxiously as the doctor listened at the parted lips, and thrust his hand inside the faded blue waistcoat. “He's alive,” he said after a moment, “but unconscious. We must get him home at once.” “He heard the bell and was runnin' to the fire when he was took,” said Captain Jerry. “Run out in his shirt sleeves, and was took when he got as fur as here.” “That's the way I figger it,” said Eri unblushingly. “Lift him carefully, you fellers. Now then!” “I warned him against over-exertion or excitement months ago,” said the Doctor, as they bore the senseless burden toward the big house, now as black as the grave that was so near its owner. “We must find someone to take care of him at once. I don't believe the old man has a relation within a hundred miles.” “Why don't we take him to our house?” suggested Captain Jerry. “'Twouldn't seem so plaguey lonesome, anyhow.” “By mighty!” ejaculated Captain Eri in astonishment. “Well, Jerry, I'll be switched if you ain't right down brilliant once in a while. Of course we will. He can have the spare room. Why didn't I think of that, I wonder?”