cynosure of three pairs
of eyes. These were all kindly and full of cheer. Two pairs were
contributed respectively by the nurse and Lady Touchstone, while the
third was set in the face of an overgrown cherub, who smelt agreeably
of Harris tweed and was gently furbishing his _pince-nez_ with an
enormous handkerchief.

"This," continued Lady Touchstone, "is Dr. Gilpin." The cherub grinned
reassuringly. "He's extremely pleased with you, and, when you're
better, I think you'll return the compliment."

"I've been ill," said the patient stupidly.

The cherub nodded.

"Gave us quite a turn once or twice," he said, smiling. "But you're
all right now. And if you'll promise to obey orders, I'll have you out
of bed in a fortnight."

Anthony's face fell. Then--

"I'm in your hands, sir," he said. "And I'm very, very grateful for
all you've done." His eyes turned to Lady Touchstone. "And you. I
don't understand anything yet," he added plaintively.

"Good," said the doctor. "Now we know where we are." He took out his
watch. "If you would like it, you and your hostess can have a little
chat--for ten minutes only--just to clear matters up. Then Nurse Ford
will take over."

"Please," said Anthony.

A moment later the two were alone.

"I don't know how I come to be here," said the patient slowly, "but I'm
afraid it must have been a terrible inconvenience and--and expense.
You know I've no money."

Subduing an inclination to burst into tears--

"On the contrary," said Lady Touchstone, "you're quite respectably off.
Since you've been ill, you've come into money--more than enough to pay
for everything. So don't let that worry you."

She felt that it was not the moment to tell him that he was virtually a
millionaire.

For a moment the man did not speak. Then--

"How did I get here?" he said.

"You may well ask," was the reply. "If I hadn't seen it with my own
eyes, I wouldn't have believed it possible for George Alison to lift a
man of your inches and carry him single-handed right from the front
door. I know he rowed for Cambridge, but, all the same, it was the act
of a fool. And I told him so. Of course, he only grinned. You know
that inane, irresistible grin of his when he's done something he knows
is----"

"George Alison?" said Anthony. "George Alison? How on earth----" He
stopped short and started up on an elbow. "What month is it?"

"April," said Lady Touchstone. "And now lie down agai