The Company Doctor; An American Story

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. Curtis left the little hotel the next morning before nine o'clock and started for Mr. Payne's office. I will get there before he does, he said to himself, and have an opportunity to talk before he opens his morning's mail. But in this he was mistaken. He entered the building devoted to the Company offices and met the Paymaster, a pleasant-faced man of fifty years, named Johnson. Mr. Payne was here for an hour this morning, but he left thirty minutes ago. Won't you sit down? Thanks, said Malcolm, accepting the invitation. Do you think he'll be back soon? Can't say, I'm sure. Mr. Johnson filled a briarwood pipe, and lighted it, and leaned back in his chair. I heard of your arrival, he continued. Weeks was in for a couple of minutes this morning, and mentioned the fact. He said he thought you might be persuaded to stay here. Paymaster Johnson said this with a rising inflection, and the physician took the cue. I think I should like it. Does Mr. Payne usually get here so early? Yes, every day at seven. He's a tremendous worker, and the rest of us do not lounge around. His industry is contagious. If you're in a hurry to see him you might step around to the house. I don't know but that you'd better do so anyhow. For all I know he might drive over to Keytown and be gone all day. He said something about that possibility. Malcolm knew where Mr. Payne's residence was; he had seen it the evening previous. A great frame structure, it rested on the summit of a gently rising hillock, in the center of a park. All around the latter was a strong fence, but this was concealed by a hedge nearly fifteen feet high. A porter's lodge, occupied by the head gardener, was at the main entrance to the grounds, and the latter were filled with trees, exc...