He, however, saw them talking earnestly, and then saw one of the strangers, probably the doctor who ran the asylum, bring out a legal-looking document. This Frederic Vernon urged Dr. Remington and the second stranger to sign.
"It must be the certificate to prove that Mrs. Vernon is insane," thought Robert. "I believe such a document has to be signed by two doctors, and Frederic Vernon is urging Remington and that other physician to do the dirty work for him." Robert\'s surmise was correct, as later events proved.
Remington did not wish to give the certificate until he was certain that Frederic Vernon would pay over the ten thousand dollars which had been promised to him.
"I\'ve got to have my pay," he said, in a low but earnest manner.
"You\'ll get it," returned Vernon. "You can trust me."
"Humph! I trusted you before," growled the doctor.
"Well, you know why I went off--merely to induce my aunt to return to Chicago."
"Your money will be safe."
"And how about my money?" put in the second physician.
"You shall be paid, Dr. Carraway."
"You must remember that it is a ticklish business, this signing a certificate when the party isn\'t--ahem--just as bad as she might be."
"And I must have my money," put in Dr. Rushwood. "I am running a risk, too."
"What risk will you run if you have your certificate?" questioned Frederic Vernon. "You can fall back on that in case of trouble."
"Mrs. Vernon\'s friends may have us all arrested for conspiracy. It\'s a big risk."
"Well, every man of you shall be paid," said Frederic Vernon. "As soon as the excitement of the affair blows over, I\'ll take charge of all my aunt\'s property and then I\'ll have money to burn, and lots of it. Why, she\'s worth half a million."
So the talk ran on, until Dr. Remington and Dr. Carraway agreed to sign the certificate, and did so. This paper was then turned over to Dr. Rushwood, who placed it on file in his safe. Following this the keeper of the asylum brought out some wine and cigars, and half an hour was spent in general conversation.
Then Frederic Vernon said he would like to talk to his aunt for awhile.
Dr. Rushwood led the way to an apartment on the third floor. The room had once been well furnished, but the furnishings were now dilapidated, the carpet being worn threadbare and the furniture being scratched and broken. One small window lit up the apartment, and this was closely barred.
Frederic Vernon knocked on the door, but received no answer.
"Can I come in, aunt?" asked the young spendthrift.
At once there was a rustle in the room.
"Yes, Frederic, come in," came in Mrs. Vernon\'s voice.
Dr. Rushwood opened the door and the young man entered. Then the doctor locked the door again.
"When you want to get out just call me," he said significantly, and walked away.
"Frederic, what does this mean?" demanded Mrs. Vernon. By her face it was plain to see that she had been weeping.
"Don\'t excite yourself, aunt," responded the young rascal soothingly. "It is all for the best."
"What is for the best?" demanded the lady.
"That you are here."
"But I do not wish to be here, and you have no right to place me here."
"It is for your good, aunt."
"I understand you, Frederic, but let me tell you your wicked plot against me shall not succeed."
"I have no plot against you, aunt. If you wish to know the truth, let me tell you that your mind is not just what it should be. For a long while you have imagined that I was your enemy, while all your friends know that I have been your best friend."
"Indeed! Were you my friend when you forged my name to that check for six hundred dollars?"
Frederic Vernon winced, but quickly recovered.
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CHAPTER XXIX. DOCTOR RUSHWOOD\'S SANITARIUM.
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CHAPTER XXXI. ROBERT DECIDES TO ACT.
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