“I suppose so,” said the physician with a smile at Larry’s bluntness. “Why?” “Because that’s all I have,” exclaimed the boy. “I got it as a reward for finding the Reynolds diamonds. My sister has spine disease and she suffers very much. I would give the thousand dollars if you could cure her, and then I could owe the rest of the money to you and pay you when I earned it. Will you? Please, Dr. Carrolton, please cure my sister!” “Tell me all about it,” said the physician kindly, taking a chair and drawing up one for Larry. “Where is your sister?” Then the boy told him all about Lucy, and how much pain she had, telling how patient she was. He related the experience with the diamonds and told about getting the thousand dollars. “Please come and cure my sister,” he ended up with. “I know I can’t pay you what it is worth, but I’ll work hard until I can make it up,” and he paused to regard the doctor anxiously. “I--er--ahem!” said the physician, who seemed to find it hard to proceed. “I don’t want your money, my boy,” he said at length. “Isn’t it enough?” asked Larry in a disappointed tone. “It is far too much,” replied Dr. Carrolton. “I have wanted to do something for you ever since you saved my watch for me. I would rather have lost ten thousand dollars than that watch, which I prize for the memories it brings. So you can consider me in your debt to a large amount. As for your sister, I will come and examine her.” “Thank you,” exclaimed Larry. “I don’t say I can cure her,” the physician went on, “but I will try, and, if I can, I will be only too glad to do so in return for what you have done for me, also because I like you, and I am sure I shall like your sister, if she is anything like you.” “She’s a lot better,” said Larry, hardly knowing whether to laugh or cry. “All right, I’ll write you a letter soon, and tell you when I can come and see your sister. Now you had better run along, for the paper might want the picture,” and, shaking hands with Larry, the great doctor went back to his room, while the boy, almost in a daze over his good fortune, started back for the office. CHAPTER XXIX THE OPERATION The next day all the papers told of the impending operation on the millionaire’s daughter by the distinguished surgeon. His picture was in many of the publications, including the _Leader_. The operation was performed that day, and was a success as far as the first stages went. It would be some time, the stories said, before the plaster casts could be removed, and then it would be known whether or not the little girl would ever walk again.