“You came up here to consult with some doctors upon a case that is puzzling them, did you not?” “Not at all! Not at all!” cried the other. “I am on one vacation. I am in no mood to consult mit dese country doctors. Ach! For why should I work when it is a vacation I need?” “But think of the sick man!” cried Tom almost angrily. “Suppose he needs you?” “I do not know that. I know nothing about it yet. Why should I consider him?” and the scientist shrugged his shoulders. “What is he to me?” “He’s a good deal to me,” declared Tom Swift sternly. “You must pay me for helping you out last night by seeing this man—Mr. Nestor.” “Not so! Not so!” cried Dr. Raddiker, his eyes flashing behind his huge spectacles. “Ach! You are like one of these American bandits—yes? You say you will take what you want if I will not give it cheerfully, yes? Ach!” “That is the only way you can pay your bill,” declared Tom. “Then the bill, it goes unpaid,” Raddiker almost snarled at him. To the driver of the car he added: “Go on! I haf enough of this town. I never want to see it again.” The querulous, nervous, excited savant was doubtless an unhappy soul, and he liked to make other people unhappy. He turned about as the car started and cried: “Gif my regards to the young lady. She was very nice and friendly yet. She is the only nice person I meet since I come from New York.” “Hold on!” commanded Tom. He leaped upon the running board and leaned over and stopped the car in spite of the chauffeur. His eyes flashed into those of the remarkable Dr. Raddiker. “Hold on!” he repeated. “You speak of that girl. Do you know who she is? It is her father who is dying and whom the doctors here want you to visit. Can’t you do that much for the poor girl who was nice to you?” “You are telling me the truth—yes?” stammered Raddiker doubtfully. “Tell this man to drive you to Mr. Nestor’s house. His daughter will be there,” the young fellow replied. “Vell! Vell!” agreed Raddiker. “Go on. We will try. But if you deceive me—Ach!” He was evidently very angry. Tom did not care how angry the man was with him; he was determined he should fulfill his agreement with the local doctors and examine Mr. Nestor. Tom rode beside the chauffeur and the moment the car stopped at the Nestor place he called Mary to the door and ran in himself and had Mrs. Nestor call up the two doctors who had been attending her husband. Dr. Raddiker put the best face he could on a troublesome matter, now that he saw Mary and knew that the patient was one in whom she had an interest. Mary had quite charmed the grouchy savant. He stamped into the house with one of his small bags, peering about through his huge spectacles, and apparently criticising unfavorably everything that he saw.