with many apologies for disturbing Mavis. She then
told her lodger that the broker's man was aware of the illness from
which Mavis's baby was suffering; also that, as he was a family man, he
objected to being in a house where there was a contagious disease, and
that, if the child were not removed to the local fever hospital by the
evening, he would inform the authorities. Mrs Trivett's information
spelt further trouble for Mavis. Apart from her natural disinclination
to confide her dearly loved child to the care of strangers, she saw a
direct menace to herself should the man carry out his threat of
insisting on the removal of the child. Montague Devitt was much bound
up with the town's municipal authorities. In this capacity, it was
conceivable that he might discover the identity of the child's mother;
failing this, her visits to the hospital to learn the child's progress
would probably excite comment, which, in a small town like Melkbridge,
could easily be translated into gossip that must reach the ears of the
Devitt family. The cloud of trouble hung heavily over Mavis.

"Can't--can't anything be done?" she asked desperately.

"It's either the hospital or paying the broker."

"How much is it?"

"Twenty-nine pounds sixteen."

"That's easily got," remarked Mavis. "At once?" asked Mrs Trivett, as
her worn face brightened.

"I don't suppose I could get it till the morrow. It would be then too
late?"

"But if you're sure of getting it, something might be arranged."

"Would the man take my word?"

"No. But he might know someone who would lend the money in a way that
would be convenient."

"See him at once. Find out if anything can be done," urged the
distracted mother.

Five minutes later, whilst Mavis was waiting in suspense, Mrs Trivett
came up to say that the doctor had come again. Mavis had no time to ask
her landlady what she had done with the broker's man, as the doctor
came into the room directly after he had been announced. He was quite a
young doctor, on whom the manners of an elderly man sat incongruously.
He glanced keenly at Mavis as he bowed to her; then, without saying a
word, he fell to examining the child's throat.

"Well?" asked Mavis breathlessly, when he had satisfied himself of its
condition.

"I must ask you a few questions," replied the doctor.

"What do you wish to know?" she asked with anxious heart.

He asked her much about the baby's place of birth, subsequent health
and diet.