Part 21 (1/2)
Roy went down to the river and got Warde and together they started for the hospital Warde was glad to go He said little, for that was his habit He was quiet and thoughtful
”That kid al that everybody's mistaken,” said Roy
”How?”
”Oh, he's so dead sure about everything Don't you suppose I can be grateful to Blythe even if he--even if he's crazy”
”What do you mean, crazy?”
”Oh, I mean even if he committed a murder if that's the way you want to put it He did, didn't he?”
”Guess so”
”Probably he was crazy when he did it Wasn't he?”
”Guess so”
At the hospital they were shown into the public ward at the door of which sat a policeman That was to show that Blythe was under arrest He was likely to escape! He lay upon his cot, his head swathed in bandages, his eyes hollow, his face white Hehis head It was the same old se and one of them All in a rush it took them back to old Camp Merritt
”Doctor Cawson,” he said, just above a whisper ”Did he come too? He'd like to see me now, eh?”
”No, he didn't couess he stopped to do a good turn Better?”
”Weak yet,” their friend said, reaching a white hand out, which each of the boys shook gently ”Your foot all right?” he asked Roy
”Sure, only I can't run yet,” Roy said ”I should worry I've got to thank _you_, that's one sure thing”
There was an aard pause; the scouts did not knohat to say They wondered if their friend knew of the dreadful accusation They felt that whatever they said or did would be wrong in that spotless, silent place, which was subject to rules and custolances at the nurses, they ventured to sit upon the edge of the cot Then they felt easier and more at ho look which his bandages gave hi pleasant and wholesome in the victim's look which the scouts had not seen before Stricken and helpless though he was, he did not seem peculiar
”I hurt my foot when I was a kid,” he said in a weak voice; ”I stepped on a scythe I couldn't walk for two months”
”Your left foot?” Roy asked
”My left heel, the scar's there now”
”I know,” Roy said
This was the first time that their queer friend had ever spoken of his early life He sain, that pleasant, companionable smile
”How did you know?” he asked
”I--tell us about it,” Roy said
”I stepped on a scythe in the hayfield I thought I told Doctor Cawson”