e bath, sir, when I managed to stop her."

"Pour it down the bath!"

"Yes, sir. You may believe it or not, sir, but I should say there was
something in that water her ladyship would like get rid of."

Almost overwhelmed by the tumult of suspicion that rose within him,
Roger found it hard to keep his head. Mastering himself with an effort
and still holding Therese off with one arm he managed to ask evenly:

"What gave you this idea, Chalmers?"

"The nurse, sir," was the prompt reply. "There's something serious
behind all this business, and it's my opinion the nurse knows."

Deeply shaken, Roger gazed into the old servant's eyes. What he saw
convinced him that Chalmers had not spoken idly. For that matter he
knew what a degree of certainty it must have required to make the man
attempt such an unheard-of thing as to lay his hands on his mistress.
The inference was staggering.... With a great effort he pulled himself
together, remembering Esther.

"Take the brandy to Miss Clifford, Chalmers. I will stay here a
moment."

He stood aside to allow the butler to pass, then shutting the door
again turned resolutely to Therese, trying to conceal from her the
quandary in which he found himself.

"I'm afraid this requires an explanation," he said to her coldly.
"Please tell me what you were going to do with that water."

She bit her lips and faced him defiantly.

"I shall not answer any question that is put in such a way," she
retorted. "Let me pass; I insist on leaving this room."

"Listen to me, Therese. A little while ago Miss Rowe made a terrible
accusation concerning you and Sartorius. I begin to think her
statement has got to be investigated. I am giving you a chance now to
explain matters."

"Investigated! Are you serious? Surely you saw for yourself that the
girl is out of her senses?"

"In view of what Chalmers has just told me I am not entirely sure."

"Absurd! Why, the doctor said before she left that he considered her
abnormal. I am sure I have no idea what mad story she has invented,
but as for taking her seriously----!"

"Very well, then, tell me what you were going to do with that water.
Why were you trying to throw it away?"

As he spoke it flashed upon him that on another occasion she had been
in his room. He recalled her flimsy excuse, which she had later on
contradicted.

She began to laugh, cajolingly.

"Don't be ridiculous, Roger; where is your sense of humour? I wasn't