Doctor, are
glad as I am, that I know."

We stood now where we had slowly advanced toward the sideboard. But
Doctor Bond did not seem glad. He paused, looking strangely at me and at
our host. "Harry," said he, "suppose you go look in the hall for my
saddle-bags--I have left my medicine case."

The young man turned, but for no reason apparently, stopped at the door,
and presently joined us again.

"May I ask for Miss Grace this morning, Doctor," I began, politely.

"Yes," interjected Colonel Sheraton. "How's the girl? She ought to be
with us this minute--a moment like this, you know."

Doctor Bond looked at us still gravely. He turned from me to Colonel
Sheraton, and again to Harry Sheraton. "Harry," said he, sternly.
"Didn't you hear me? Get out!"

We three were left alone. "Jack, I must see you a moment alone," said
Doctor Bond to me.

"What's up," demanded Colonel Sheraton. "What's the mystery? It seems to
me I'm interested in everything proper here. What's wrong, Doctor? Is my
girl sick?"

"Yes," said the physician.

"What's wrong?"

"She needs aid," said the old wire-hair slowly.

"Can you not give it, then? Isn't that your business?"

"No, sir. It belongs to another profession," said Doctor. Bond, dryly,
taking snuff and brushing his nose with his immense red kerchief.

Colonel Sheraton looked at him for the space of a full minute, but got
no further word. "Damn your soul, sir!" he thundered, "explain yourself,
or I'll make you wish you had. What do you mean?" He turned fiercely
upon me.

"By God, sir, there's only one meaning that I can guess. You, sir,
what's wrong? _Are you to blame_?"

I faced him fairly now. "I am so accused by her," I answered slowly.

"What! _What_!" He stood as though frozen.

"I shall not lie about it. It is not necessary for me to accuse a girl
of falsehood. I only say, let us have this wedding, and have it soon. I
so agreed with Miss Grace last night."

The old man sprang at me like a maddened tiger now, his eyes glaring
about the room for a weapon. He saw it--a long knife with ivory handle
and inlaid blade, lying on the ledge where I myself had placed it when I
last was there. Doctor Bond sprang between him and the knife. I also
caught Colonel Sheraton and held him fast.

"Wait," I said. "Wait! Let us have it all understood plainly. Then let
us take it up in any way you Sheratons prefer."

"Stop, I say," cried the stern-faced doctor--as honest a man, I think,