Doctor Jones' Picnic Part 15

"But, Count Icanovich, do you not see how impossible it is for us to remain?" asked Professor Gray.

"No; I only see how impossible it is for you to go."

"But look at the vast amount of money that our Government has intrusted us with for an express purpose. Having accepted this trust, our first and only duty is to that Government. And I tell you that whoever dares to detain us will have a heavy account to settle with a great and powerful nation."

"I perfectly appreciate all that, Professor Gray, and am ready to settle any indemnity that may be demanded of me. I tell you, one and all, that I count these things as but dross when compared with the life of my Feodora. She shall not die if any high-handed outrage that I can commit will prevent it. You have heard me."

The voyagers looked at one another in dismay. Here was a predicament that no one could have foreseen.

"How long is this delay likely to last?" asked Will.

"Just as long as the interests of my daughter's health demand it,"

returned the Count.

The Doctor gave a hypocritical groan that would have made his fortune upon the stage.

"How long will that be, Doctor?" asked Will.

"Three months, at least," was the reply.

The Professor duplicated the Doctor's groan with such emphasis that the party could not repress their smiles, and the two conspirators did not dare look at each other.

"Well, Professor, we'll have to accept the inevitable," said Dr. Jones.

"Let's go down again and continue our studies of Russian customs and habits."

"Allow me to say, gentlemen, before we descend, that it is best that we should have a thorough understanding. I desire to treat you as my honored friends and guests, and to allow you every possible liberty and pleasure while here. Pledge me your word that you will not attempt to sail without my knowledge, or seek governmental interference, and all I have is at your command."

"Before I accede to your proposition, I wish to put one question: If Dr.

Jones will consent to remain, will you permit the rest of the party to depart with the ship?" asked the Professor.

"I shall be delighted if you can make any such arrangement," quickly returned the Count.

"What do you say, Doctor?" cried Professor Gray, turning to him.

The Doctor pondered a moment or two, and then said:

"It is very great to be the discoverer of the North Pole, but it is very much greater to save a human life. My wife and Mattie will remain with me, but the rest of you may depart immediately if you wish."

"As for me," said Denison, promptly, "I shall stay with Dr. Jones."

Will and Fred looked at each other a moment, then Fred burst out:

"Let's stick together. The North Pole will be there just the same a few months later, and I do not blame Count Icanovich for detaining the Doctor under the circ.u.mstances. To use a beautiful Americanism, we may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. In one, in all."

"I stand with the majority," said Will.

"Well, gentlemen, I do not see but that I am in a hopeless minority, and must accept the Count's terms," sighed the Professor. "But say, Doctor, let me suggest one more idea before settling the matter definitely. Are there not men in Russia who practice your system, and who could fill your place satisfactorily in this case?"

"I presume there are, but I am unacquainted with them."

"But, gentlemen, my daughter will accept no subst.i.tute. I suggested the same idea to her, but she would not listen to it. It is Dr. Jones or n.o.body with her. There is no alternative. Dr. Jones must stay." This the Count said so decisively that further argument was mutually dropped as unavailing.

"Well, Sir Count, since fate is against our sailing until the recovery of the fair Feodora, I only hope her return to perfect health may be unprecedentedly rapid, and I hereby give you the required pledge." With this the Professor extended his hand to the Count. The latter seized it cordially, then shook hands with each of the rest of the company, saying:

"I am so glad that this unpleasant matter has been so easily and amicably adjusted. Let us go down now, and the only command that I put upon you is that you use my castle as your own, and that you come and go as you please."

They all thanked the n.o.ble Count, and the whole party set out for the castle. When they reached the drawing-room the Professor dropped into a chair and said: "I used to be of the opinion that the stories of the enchanted castles, Sleeping Beauties and Beasts were all childish fiction and romance. But, as the darky said, 'Heah we is.' We have the castle, the Beauty, and the Beast. Though I must say of the Beast that he is a very amiable old fellow, after all, and I would do just as he is doing under the circ.u.mstances. This Beauty must be awakened, and Dr.

Jones is the Prince of Physicians who can do it."

"Thank you, Professor. And now, girls, take off your hats and cloaks,"

cried the Doctor. "We have concluded to stay with the Count a few months."

They looked at him to see if he were not joking.

"What do you mean, Doctor?" asked his wife. "Did you say that we were to stay here a few months?"

"Yes, my dear. The Count has persuaded me to remain until Feodora is so far recovered that we can safely leave her."

"Well now, I will tell you the truth; I am really glad to hear it." Then turning to the company, she proudly said: "This is just like him. I am sure that he would not only give up the North Pole, but the whole earth to save a human life."

"Come, come, sis," said the Doctor, blushing and confused, "you make me feel silly. Scatter off, now, and make yourselves at home. We must make the Count glad to get rid of us."

CHAPTER XV.

A Model Teacher and Ideal Student.

The days and weeks flew swiftly by. The fame of the great air-ship spread far and wide, and thousands of visitors came to inspect it and the wonderful voyagers. But what especially drew the people, and was talked of more than all else, was the marvelous skill of Dr. Jones as a healer. The beautiful Feodora improved from day to day, so that she daily drove with her devoted and constant companions, Mrs. Jones and Mattie. She began to eat heartily, gained flesh rapidly, and her cough had nearly left her. Roses of health a.s.sumed the place of hectic flush, and she was the talk and wonder of everyone who knew of her former hopeless condition.

Many were the consultations held by Dr. Jones, with the grateful and goodnatured Count for interpreter. Money and honors poured in upon him, though he never made any sort of charge for advice or medicine. The better cla.s.s of patients invariably left upon the table one or more pieces of gold.

"Maggie, do you know that I have no idea of what to do with all this money? If it keeps on this way, I shall be obliged to found a college and hospital when we get back to Washington. Wouldn't it be grand if I could break down the prejudices and legal barriers in this great country, and establish our school upon an even footing with the old school?"

"The Count must have influence at court. I should think that he might be of great help to you," suggested Mrs. Jones.

"That is a good thought, and I will have a talk with him upon the subject at the first opportunity."

The Count, meantime, was closely watching the Doctor's methods and the results. He was delighted to note that many chronic cases recovered under the treatment; and acute diseases yielded as if by magic to his all-powerful infinitesimal doses.

"This is something utterly incomprehensible," he said to the Doctor one evening, as the friends sat with him in his office, smoking and talking.

"Your medicines are working wonders, and yet I cannot understand how it is possible for so minute a particle as is contained in one of your doses to act so potently and profoundly upon a great ma.s.s of blood, flesh, and bones, like the human body. That it does so is beyond question. I have watched you carefully, and am thoroughly converted to your system."

"Wouldn't it be a glorious thing for Russia if this system of medicine could have at least an opportunity of being heard, and of exemplifying the fact that it is founded upon science, and that beside it there is no other?" cried Dr. Jones.

"Suppose you had an opportunity, by what method would you prove this system to be what you claim for it?" asked Professor Gray.