The physician, familiar with the subtleties of coroners, gently
placed an arm about the young man's shoulder. He nodded,
understandingly, to the Coroner, as he turned toward Shirley.
"I must be going now," the latter interposed. "Just a word with
you, Howard, that I may send a message to your mother and
sister."
The physician led away the two officials as Shirley continued: "I
must go to see Cronin--deserted there like a run-over mongrel on
the street. Can I leave this house by the rear, so that none
shall know of my assistance in the case, or follow me to the
hospital? If you can secure an old hat and coat, I will leave my
own, with my stick, to get them some other time."
"I will get some from the butler, if you wait just a moment. You
can leave by the rear yard, if you don't mind climbing a high
board fence."
Van Cleft hurried downstairs, in a few minutes, bearing a
weather-beaten overcoat and an English cap, which Shirley drew
down over his ears. With the coat on, he looked very unlike the
well-groomed club man who had entered.
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