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Having thus delivered herself she retreated towards the kitchen and I ascended the stairs, at the head of which I found Miss Bellinghaht hand encased in what looked like a white boxing-glove

"I alad you have come," she said "Phyllis--Miss Oman, you know--has kindly bound up ht"

We went into the sitting-room, where I laid out my paraphernalia on the table while I inquired into the particulars of the accident

"It is most unfortunate that it should have happened just now," she said, as I wrestled with one of those remarkable feminine knots that, while they seeenuity to untie, yet have a singular habit of untying themselves at inopportune moments

"Why just now, in particular?" I asked

"Because I have some specially i a historical book has co to the Tell el Amarna letters--the cuneiform tablets, you know, of Aly, "I expect your hand will soon be well"

"Yes, but that won't do The work has to be done immediately I have to send in the completed notes not later than this day week, and it will be quite impossible I am dreadfully disappointed"

By this tis and exposed the injury--a deep gash in the palood-sized artery Obviously the hand would be useless for fully a week

"I suppose," she said, "you couldn't patch it up so that I could write with it?"

I shook ham I shall have to put it on a splint We can't run any risks with a deep wound like this"

"Then I shall have to give up the coet the work done in the time You see, I aypt; in fact, I was to receive special payment on that account And it would have been such an interesting task, too However, it can't be helped"

I proceeded s, and meanwhile reflected It was evident that she was deeply disappointed Loss of work lance at her rusty black dress to see that there was little in for that Possibly, too, there was some special need to be met Her manner seemed almost to imply that there was And at this point I had a brilliant idea