William Morrison by Mel Oliver & Space Rover On Mars

Author:Mel Oliver & Space Rover On Mars [Oliver, Mel & Mars, Space Rover On]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-06-09T15:42:29+00:00

CHAPTER 9

ROVER TAKES A

REST

THE man with whom Rover had been struggling lay even more quietly than the dog, his eyes staring at the ceiling. Mel had never seen violent death before, but he had an idea that this man was dead.

A circus crewman came running, with Hakin in clown costume not far behind him. “What has happened?” cried Hakin, so excited that Mel thought he had forgotten his flowery mode of address. “You are wounded, Rover is wounded—and who is this Departing One?”

“He looks already departed,” said Mel. “I don’t know who he is. But I can tell you what he tried to do, before he was shot by his own pal. Not now, though, Hakin. Rover is hurt badly, and needs a doctor.”

“Yes, the dog is wounded. We must call our veterinarian.”

With a choked feeling in his throat, Mel dropped down beside the panting dog and smoothed the fur on the great head. Rover didn’t even open his eyes, but continued to breathe heavily through his open mouth.

A half minute later, to Mel’s relief, the vet appeared. While he was examining Rover, Mel was able to explain to Hakin what had happened. He could see that through the greasepaint the rubber man’s face was growing grim. “This, O My Youthful Friend, is again the doing of Gard Closker.”

“I don’t think so,” said Mel. “I wouldn’t want to defend anybody who hurt my dog. But we have to be fair even to him. He’s in the audience himself, with Betty. I don’t think he’d let his men try any dirty work while the two of them were around.”

Hakin paused irresolutely. “Perhaps you are right, O Shrewd One. There is logic in your words. A pity this man here is no longer among the living. We might have questioned him.”

“Maybe we can guess some of the answers without questioning. I don’t think he came here chiefly to cause trouble in the circus. I think he came to kill me. And it was Rover who stopped him.”

“What makes you think so, O Youth of Many Ideas? Did he not attempt to arouse the kabror to emit an evil fragrance?”

“I know, but I think that was just to get me to follow him and walk into a trap. He didn’t go into my dressing room itself. I guess he started to, but was afraid to go ahead because of Rover. He just put his arm in and threw something for the beast to eat, knowing that I’d have to get out and would probably chase after him.”

“You may be correct, O Actor in Love With Applause. I shall discuss the matter with Bolam.”

The doctor who had been examining Rover now stood up. “His chest is slightly singed from a blast, and a bullet passed through the edge of his right lung. It’s serious, but I don’t think he’s in too much danger. I’ll give him a shot of antibiotic complex and bandage him up, and his own body should do the rest. Mars,

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