k about it, too, for something warned her she was not likely to
be left very long alone. Indeed, she was sure within her that the
doctor had meant for her to remain unconscious, never wake up again.
The idea filled her with a sickening horror, so that she had to set her
teeth hard together to stop their chattering.

Standing upon the chair she began with shaking fingers and as hurriedly
as she could to undo the rusted curtain-hooks from their big wooden
rings. She had managed only the first one when a sound from the street
below made her stop and listen, petrified. A car had stopped. She
waited, breathless, and an instant later heard the loud bang of the
street door. Like a flash she was down again on the floor, and in one
panic-stricken movement had slithered back on the camp-bed and drawn up
the army blanket over her, as it had been when she came to. As far as
she could remember it she arranged herself in her former position, half
turned towards the wall on her right side. Thank Heaven it was darker
now. She recalled with gratitude the fact that there was no electric
fixture in the alcove. If anyone came, she must do her utmost to
appear unconscious, and trust to the sheltering gloom to aid her in the
deception.

She waited and waited. Long minutes went by; it might have been half
an hour, but it was probably not nearly so long. Her body began to be
so cramped she felt she must move or die; moreover, it was some time
before her heart ceased beating so violently as to lift the blanket.
At last when she thought she could bear no more the footsteps of two
persons mounted the steps to the laboratory. The key grated in the
lock of the door. With an inward desperate prayer she closed her eyes
and relaxed the muscles of her face, just as the door swung open and
the light flashed in her face from the larger part of the room. It was
only a dim light in here, though. She knew that the lamp, a
high-powered one with a green shade, shed its rays straight down on the
work-table.

Heavy steps at once crossed the floor and paused beside her. She heard
the doctor's breathing as he bent over her, she smelled the tobacco
odour of his clothing, and felt her cheek burn as though seared beneath
his scrutiny. Presently he spoke, in her ear, it seemed.

"I suppose you gave her the injection at the time I told you to?"

"Oh, God, yes; I gave it to her all right!"

Esther experienced a sharp shock. The second voice was