The Dream Doctor eBook

Arthur B. Reeve
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 352 pages of information about The Dream Doctor.

The Dream Doctor eBook

Arthur B. Reeve
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 352 pages of information about The Dream Doctor.

All at once it dawned on me what they were planning—­the kidnapping of Brixton’s only daughter, to hold her, perhaps, as a hostage until he did the bidding of the gang.  Wachtmann’s chauffeur was doing it and using Wachtmann’s car, too.  Was Wachtmann a party to it?

What was to be done?  I looked at my watch.  It was already only a couple of minutes of nine, when the train would be due.

“If we could seize that fellow in the closet and start for the station immediately we might save Yvonne,” cried Brixton, starting for the door.

“And if they escape you make them more eager than ever to strike a blow at you and yours,” put in Craig coolly.  “No, let us get this thing straight.  I didn’t think it was as serious as this, but I’m prepared to meet any emergency.”

“But, man,” shouted Brixton, “you don’t suppose anything in the world counts beside her, do you?”

“Exactly the point,” urged Craig.  “Save her and capture them—­both at once.”

“How can you?” fumed Brixton.  “If you attempt to telephone from here, that fellow Janeff will overhear and give a warning.”

Regardless of whether Janeff was listening or not, Kennedy was eagerly telephoning to the Woodrock central down in the village.  He was using the transmitter and receiver that were connected with the iron tube which he had connected to the two regular house lines.

“Have the ferry held at any cost,” he was ordering.  “Don’t let the next boat go out until Mr. Brixton gets there, under any circumstances.  Now put that to them straight, central.  You know Mr. Brixton has just a little bit of influence around here, and somebody’s head will drop if they let that boat go out before he gets there.”

“Humph!” ejaculated Brixton.  “Much good that will do.  Why, I suppose our friend Janeff down in the storeroom knows it all now.  Come on, let’s grab him.”

Nevertheless there was no sound from the detectaphone which would indicate that he had overheard and was spreading the alarm.  He was there yet, for we could hear him clear his throat once or twice.

“No,” replied Kennedy calmly, “he knows nothing about it.  I didn’t use any ordinary means to prepare against the experts who have brought this situation about.  That message you heard me send went out over what we call the ‘phantom circuit.’”

“The phantom circuit?” repeated Brixton, chafing at the delay.

“Yes, it seems fantastic at first, I suppose,” pursued Kennedy calmly; “but, after all, it is in accordance with the laws of electricity.  It’s no use fretting and fuming, Mr. Brixton.  If Janeff can wait, we’ll have to do so, too.  Suppose we should start and this Kronski should change his plans at the last minute?  How would we find it out?  By telepathy?  Believe me, sir, it is better to wait here a minute and trust to the phantom circuit than to mere chance.”

“But suppose he should cut the line,” I put in.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Dream Doctor from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.