“Lady,” pleaded Mr. Connors in his most ingratiating voice, “I come here lookin’ fer a doctor, see? W’en a guy goes ter git a doctor, it ain’t right ter butt in an’ stop him. Dat’s de way it looks ter a man up a tree, lady.” The woman ventured no opinion. She merely closed the door. “Lady!” shouted Mr. Connors in his most humble and winning manner. “Lady!” The door opened again. “Well, what is it?” “Lady, I come here to git help fer a guy dat’s lyin’ on de railroad track wid a busted slat. He ain’t got nobody ter look after him. If you keeps me up here dere ain’t no tellin’ what’ll happen ter de pore afflicted feller.” “A man with a busted what?” inquired the lady suspiciously. “A busted slat,” repeated Mr. Connors. “Dis guy falls down a clift and caves in a few spare-ribs. Dat’s on de level, lady. I ain’t kiddin’ wid yer.” “You mean the man is wounded?” “Dat’s it. He’s all in an’ down an’ out.” “Where—where is this person?” The minister’s wife put the question with preliminary symptoms of relenting. If some one were genuinely in distress, she must probe the facts. “Right up de railroad about three-quarters of a mile from here.” The lady was considering. While she did so the beast below made a sound as if licking his chops with the relish of keen anticipation. “When my husband and son come home,” ruled the woman at last, “they will investigate your story. Of course they may not get home to-night—the boat is usually a few hours late.” Once more Mr. Connors groaned. “Meanwhile,” added the lady, “I’ll call off the dog. You can vamoose.” “T’anks, lady.” Mr. Connors voice was eager. “But,” continued the warning voice, “the dog will be about all evening, and if you come back——” “_Me_ come back, lady!” Mr. Connors’ voice trembled with emotion. “Ferget it! Dis is me farewell appearance!” The lady opened the door a little wider. “Fido,” she commanded, “come here! Here, Fido! That’s a good little doggie!” Thirty seconds later Mr. Connors dropped to the ground and disappeared. * * * * * Mr. Lewis Copewell resumed consciousness to find himself apparently deserted. With the reawakening of his mental activities came a renewed horror of the situation which engulfed him. He must find a telephone. He struggled to his feet, but while he slept his injuries had been multiplying and his joints stiffening. He breathed with difficulty. Also, he could not walk. One ankle had swollen until his shoe bound it like a vise, and when he stepped forward he fell, with nauseating pain, to the broken rocks.