ought we
would have to lock him up with a bodyguard to save his life, he was so
enthusiastic about my profession. And as to anti-vivisection! Why, at
one time he had twenty-five cats and four dogs in our small city yard to
save them from the possible fate of some of their kind. I tell you, we
had our hands full with pretty Leland."

"I should love him," said Belle suddenly and emphatically.

Every one laughed. It was actually the first real smile that had broken
the sadness of their lives in that long, dreary week. Belle returned the
charge with a contemptuous glance.

"I mean, of course, I should love him as a friend of humanity," she
answered.

"Cats and dogs!" exclaimed Betty.

"A friend of dumb animals is always a friend of humans," insisted Belle.

Dr. Robbins smiled. Her cure was already working, and, while her story
was correct, the recital of it had done more for those girls than had any
other attempted cure of their melancholy.

"Well, I cannot agree with you that one fond of animals--that is
excessively fond--is always very fond of mankind," she said. "Still, in
Leland's case, it was a curious mixture of both."

"He will become a great man," prophesied Hazel.

"If he does not kill himself in the trying," said the sister. "He came
too near it in the fire. But suppose he should insist on--on digging
sewers?"

"Oh, you could restrain him. That would be insane!" declared Bess.

"I don't know about that. Sewers have to be dug," contended Leland's
sister.

"I wish we might meet him," ventured Bess. "I am sure he would be an
inspiration."

Poor Bess! Always saying things backwards. He would be an
inspiration--in digging sewers!

"Well, you may some day, if he ever consents to become civilized again,"
said Dr. Robbins. "You see, he may take to the lecture platform, but
very likely the platform will be against his principles. He will want to
shout from the housetops!"

A step in the hall attracted them. It was Ed.

"Jack and I are going to town," he said, his face flushed with
excitement. "The detectives claim to have a clew."

"Oh, good! I knew Dr. Robbins would bring luck," declared Belle,
actually springing up from the couch. "I am going out in the air. I
feel as if Cora were here already!"

"Easy, Belle," cautioned the doctor. "We must insist upon discipline for
your mind and body. You must not waste energy. It is well to be
hopeful, but bad to get excited."

"But I