"
"Young man," replied Dr. Bentley, "your father is an eminent lawyer.
He is therefore qualified to inform you that if you decline an
examination now as to the presence or absence of injuries on your
body, your refusal would have to be taken into account in contested
court action for the death of the dog."
"Dr. Bentley is quite right, and he has stated the matter accurately,"
replied Mr. Ripley. "Fred, do you desire to be examined now?
If so, we can go away to some secluded spot with the doctor,
and with the dog's owner and any other witness desired."
"I don't want to do anything now but to get away from here," replied
Fred sulkily. "I want to be rid of Prescott and his friends as
soon as possible."
"Very good, then," nodded his father. "You may do as you like,
but if you refuse Dr. Bentley's suggestion for an immediate examination
you will stand no chance of securing an order dooming the dog."
Fred's further answer was an angry snort as he turned away. His
father lingered to say:
"If your suspicions that my son was here improperly are anywhere
near correct, then you are entitled to my most hearty apology.
Fred is a peculiar and high-strung boy, but I believe his impulses
are right in the main. I will add that I believe his account
of how he came to be in this strange plight. He took the car
early this morning. I am just returning from a spin in our larger
automobile.
Pages:
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128