ad as yet not the faintest
conception of the suspicions in her nephew's mind.

"Did I do wrong?" she whispered. "I didn't see how it could make any
difference as long as the poor girl wasn't conscious, and I began to be
frightened. Her pulse is so terribly weak!"

"We must get another doctor here as quickly as possible," announced
Roger with decision. "Ring for Chalmers; he will attend to it. I
daren't leave the room."

However, it was unnecessary to ring. Chalmers entered at that moment
and slipped a key into Roger's hand.

"I'll telephone at once, sir," he said. "There is a doctor quite close
by, a French one, of course, but I dare say he will be good enough."

"Yes, Chalmers, tell him to come at once, that it is serious. If you
can't get him, try another one; don't leave the telephone until you've
found someone. And send one of the maids for a hot-water bottle."

With a nod of understanding the butler went quickly out.

"I'm afraid Therese is rather upset by all this," remarked the old lady
as she gently bathed the bloodstains from Esther's pale cheek. "She
can't stand much of this sort of thing."

It seemed to Roger incredible that his aunt should not suspect
something was wrong, yet it was true that she remained in ignorance of
what had taken place in his bathroom a few minutes ago. She was merely
aware that Therese had retired to her room without offering to assist
them. Without comment Roger renewed his efforts to resuscitate the
fainting girl. Her face was ashy, her lips bluish. There was no
apparent change in her condition; she continued to lie there so limp
and lifeless that Roger became more and more frightened. Yet great as
was his fear he dared not call in the services of the man by the fire.
Aware of his aunt's mystification and disapproval, he still considered
the doctor the more serious of two dangers.

"It is the strangest case I have ever known," murmured old Miss
Clifford in perplexity. "What do you suppose is the reason for her
turning against the doctor so suddenly? Why, I thought they were on
the best of terms? And where do you suppose she has been? Did you
notice all this mud down the side of her clothes? And no hat, nor
bag--so she must be without money."

He nodded gravely, watching eagerly for the least sign of returning
consciousness. He could not tell whether Sartorius had administered a
_piqure_ of some kind to her or not, and the uncertainty filled him
with a