I had no business to crowd in; but it is best that you
should have your eyes opened before it is too late. What do you think
yourself, dear?"

There was an agonising pause. Self-deception was no longer possible.
With an effort she replied:

"I am afraid what you have told me is terribly true; it was stupid of
me not to have guessed at something of the sort. I see things clearly
now that you have put them before my eyes. Many puzzles are
explained--the reason Aunt Flora keeps herself isolated; the reason why
she has no really intimate friends; the reason why she is so untidy in
her dress at times and talks so strangely. I suppose Mr. Krauss knows?"

"No!" replied Fuchsia with emphasis, "I have watched him carefully, and
I don't believe he has the faintest suspicion, any more than you had
yourself. Your aunt's ayah, and possibly the cook, are
fellow-conspirators, and no doubt the cause of 'the Missis's' long
strange illness is common talk in the compound."

"What can be done to cure it? Oh, Fuchsia, _do_ advise me!"

"If I were to offer you one piece of advice you would not take it."

"Well, at least allow me to hear it."

"It is to clear out of the house altogether and return home."

"I shall certainly not take that advice; I was invited to Rangoon to be
a companion to Aunt Flora, and the moment that I find she has something
frightful to fight against is surely not the time for me to run away
and leave her in the lurch. No, I shall stay here and do what I can."

"Ah, if you only could; but, my dear girl, I'm afraid it is too late.
I have been questioning Pat FitzGerald--of course without letting him
know that I had any 'case' in my mind's eye. From what I have
gathered, Mrs. Krauss has been taking this drug for a long time--and is
past all help."

"Then do you mean, Fuchsia, that I am to sit by, utterly helpless,
whilst my aunt slowly puts herself to death?"

"Of course you might try various things. You could make it your
business to find out and destroy the hypodermic syringe--or perhaps
your aunt takes it in pellets. I should interview the ayah and inform
her that you know the nature of her mistress's complaint; threaten that
you will tell Mr. Krauss and have her discharged. I expect she gets
enormous wages and has feathered her nest handsomely. If you could
inveigle your aunt into taking a voyage to Australia, that might be of
use. But these are just suggestions; in any way that I can help or