hock of surprise. It
was the blonde woman of the _Restaurant des Ambassadeurs_. As she was
French it had never occurred to Esther to connect her with the unknown
Lady Clifford. For a moment she felt self-conscious, afraid lest the
beautiful patient should recognise her. But no, there was no need for
alarm, the Frenchwoman passed her with a brief, incurious glance.
Probably on that former occasion she had never noticed Esther at all,
or if she had, the nurse's uniform was sufficient to effect a complete
alteration. Who was this exquisite creature, French, but with an
English name? All Esther's curiosity returned in full force.

Dr. Sartorius stood, heavy and uncompromising, beside the flat mahogany
desk. He scarcely took the step forward which courtesy demanded.
Surely his manners were the least ingratiating Esther had ever known in
a professional man!

"Forgive me, doctor, for coming like this," the patient began
impulsively. "But to-morrow morning I find I cannot be at home, and I
do hate to miss my _piqure_!"

"Very well, you can have it now."

That was his grudging response to an appeal full of winning charm.
Women and their fascination had evidently no part in his life.

"Ah, that is good of you! It puts strength into me--and I have need of
all my strength. I"--she paused to moisten her lips--"I wish also to
have a word with you again about my husband."

"Oh?"

She had stripped off her gloves and was clasping and unclasping her
hands.

"Yes, I--I don't feel quite so satisfied about him as I did. I want to
ask you some questions."

While she was speaking, the doctor, having signed to Esther to remain,
had opened a drawer and was taking out several small bottles which he
examined one after the other.

"Miss Rowe," he said, "all these are empty. On the top shelf in the
oak cupboard in the laboratory you will find a full one. Bring it to
me, please."

He extended an empty bottle for her to see the label.

"Yes, doctor, I won't be a minute," Esther replied, and hastened out,
closing the door behind her.

She ran up the two flights of stairs without stopping to take breath,
and looked into the Normandy armoire, but neither on the top shelf nor
any of the others could she find what she wanted. She went over the
contents of the cupboard a second time to make sure, examining the
labels of various drugs, chemicals, serums, cultures. What was this
new bottle? Tetanus--horrible! She gave a sli