m of the hospital of Martha's Vineyard was a large and
luxurious chamber, with an oval window at its farther end, and its two
side walls panelled with portraits of former chairmen and physicians. In
great oaken armchairs, behind ponderous oaken tables, covered with green
cloth and furnished with writing pads, the Board of Governors sat in
three sides of a square, leaving an open space in the middle. This open
space was reserved for patients seeking admission or receiving discharge,
and for officers of the hospital presenting their weekly reports.

On a morning in August the matron's report had closed with a startling
item. It recommended the immediate suspension of a nurse on the ground of
gross impropriety of conduct. The usual course in such a case was for the
board of the hospital to depute the matron to act for them in private,
but the chairman in this instance was a peppery person, with a stern
mouth and a solid under-jaw.

"This is a most serious matter," he said. "I think--this being a public
institution--I really think the board should investigate the case for
itself. We ought to assure ourselves that--that, in fact, no other
irregularity is going on in the hospital."

"May it please your lordship," said a rotund voice from, one of the side
tables, "I would suggest that a case like this of grievous moral
delinquency comes directly within the dispensation of the chaplain, and
if he has done his duty by the unhappy girl (as no doubt he has) he must
have a statement to make to the board with regard to her."

It was Canon Wealthy.

"I may mention," he added, "that Mr. Storm has now returned to his
duties, and is at present in the hospital."

"Send for him," said the chairman.

When John Storm entered the board room it was remarked that he looked no
better for his holiday. His cheeks were thinner, his eyes more hollow,
and there was a strange pallor under his swarthy skin.

The business was explained to him, and he was asked if he had any
statement to make with regard to the nurse whom the matron had reported
for suspension.

"No," he said, "I have no statement."

"Do you mean to tell the board," said the chairman, "that you know
nothing of this matter--that the case is too trivial for your
attention--or perhaps that you have never even spoken to the girl on the
subject?"

"That is so--I never have," said John.

"Then you shall do so now," said the chairman, and he put his hand on the
bell beside him,