“The lawyer’s first, and then, if you like, to the book store,” answered Tom with a smile at the old man’s eccentricities. “You had better stay in,” suggested Mrs. Sandow, in more gentle tones. “It is very cold out, and perhaps I can go for you.” Dr. Spidderkins hesitated. It was easy for Tom to see that the woman exercised considerable control over the aged physician. But the telephone boy was determined to frustrate her schemes. “We had better hurry,” said Tom, taking hold of the old man’s arm. “Mr. Boise will be waiting for us.” “Yes--yes, we must hurry,” assented the doctor. “I’ll be back soon, Mrs. Sandow, and perhaps,” he added significantly, “you will not be so glad to see me.” “Not glad to see you? Why, I am always glad to see you, Lemuel,” said the woman, with a whine. “I am very fond of you. I was only anxious for your own good, when I spoke.” “And for your own, and your husband’s,” thought Tom. The woman saw it would be useless to protest further. Tom and his aged friend left, boarded a car, and were riding toward the law office. Once there Mr. Boise soon explained to the doctor the plots of Mr. and Mrs. Sandow. The documents, which had come in the mail to Mr. Cutler, proved to be deeds and mortgages which the physician had, unknowingly, signed the night before. They transferred the control of most of his property to his rascally relatives. “Is it too late to prevent the loss of my estate?” asked the doctor. “Well, I am afraid you will lose some of it,” replied the lawyer. “They have been deceiving you for a long time, and, very likely, they have a good share of your money now. You have been so wrapped up in your books, that you did not know about it.” “Can’t we prevent them from getting away with it?” asked Dr. Spidderkins, as he seemed to rouse to sudden anger at the thought of the manner in which he had been swindled. “Yes, perhaps, if we act promptly.” “Then let’s act promptly!” exclaimed the physician. “We’ll go back to my house and we’ll clean the rascals out, bag and baggage! I’m an old man, but when I get roused up I’m as good as a young one!” To look at him one would not doubt this, for the doctor seemed to have grown several years younger. He had been carrying a book but now he thrust it into his pocket as if it was of no value. He was thoroughly in earnest. “Come on,” he said, to Tom and Mr. Boise. “We’ll go and see if we can’t end their plots! I’ll have something to say to Mr. and Mrs. Sandow that they won’t like.” “That’s the way to talk!” exclaimed Mr. Boise admiringly. “You’ve been too much engrossed in your books heretofore, Dr. Spidderkins.” “I guess I have. I need some honest persons to look after me. Well, maybe I’ll get them, after this affair is over.” Accompanied by Tom and Mr. Boise the doctor went back home, to “clear the rascals out,” as he expressed it several times, on the ride to the Back Bay district. CHAPTER XXIV THE FLIGHT