not think she was French. The sergeant thoughtfully emptied his glass,
and set it down upon the table.

"We'll do all we can, of course, but it strikes me that the chances of
nabbing the man don't amount to much unless the young man comes to
herself in time to help us. And, if she does, it's about twenty to one
that she puts us on a wrong scent. Well, I'm on duty again directly,
and I'll be going. Will you step down to the station with me, sir?"

"Certainly, if you think it necessary."

The sergeant thought that "it might be as well," and the Doctor put on
his hat and coat, and walked with his companion to the police-station,
where the inspector on duty, who had received one report already,
listened to his statement, wrote it all down imperturbably, and
approved with some warmth of the sergeant's theory as to "jealousy."
Fists or a knuckle-duster did well enough for robbery, the inspector
observed oracularly; it was only when a man went "a bit off his head"
that he took to daggers; and there was more of that sort of thing
about--presumably meaning jealousy--than any one would credit. Though,
when it came to going it to that extent, the inspector's private
opinion was that no woman was worth it.

"Is there much chance of capturing this man, do you think?" Doctor
Brudenell asked.

Why, that depended. If the young woman came to herself--say
to-morrow--and told the truth, you would know where you were; but if,
on the other hand, the young woman chose to put them on an altogether
false scent--which was rather more likely than not--why, where would
they be?

Feeling that he could not successfully answer this official poser, the
Doctor bade the sergeant and the inspector good-night, and, repeating
his former assurances of perfect willingness to do whatever he could in
the affair, walked out of the police-station. At home, by the
dining-room fire, he found the invaluable Mrs. Jessop waiting for him.

"Well, Mrs. Jessop, and how is our patient now?" he inquired,
cheerfully.

He did not feel cheerful, but Mrs. Jessop had shown some slight
reluctance and resentment at being suddenly called upon to assume the
function of nurse to a totally unknown and much too handsome young
woman, and he thought it only prudent to conciliate her.

"Pretty much the same, sir--hasn't stirred so much as a finger or
opened her eyes; though whether or not it's a natural sleep I couldn't
take upon myself to say."

"I'll step up-stairs agai