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Soiven Anstice a queer, but possibly justifiable, suspicion that he was about to encounter a inaire; and just for a second he felt a spasent need for haste

All such thoughts fled, however, as his eyes fell on the face of the patient he had come to see; for here was no neurotic invalid, no hysterical sufferer who craved syinary woes

On the bed drawn up in front of one of the big case woman with closed eyes; and as he approached her side Anstice saw that it was not sleep but unconsciousness which clai has she been like this?" He spoke sharply, one hand on the slender wrist

"It's two hours since she was seized, sir" The woman's voice shook "No sooner was my mistress in the house--she caht her round, the maids and et to look after Miss Cherry, and off she went again It's nearly half an hour agoand we got so anxious that Hagyard telephoned for youwe thought it was the right thing to do"

"Quite the right thing" He was too intent on his patient to pay much attention to the woman's speech; but she was quite content to stand silent as he tried one means of restoration after another; and when, finally, his efforts were successful, both Anstice and the housekeeper breathed more freely

"Your mistressher name, by the way"

"Mrs Carstairs, sir" She spoke with a tinge of reluctance, and even in the stress of the moment Anstice wondered why

"Oh Well, Mrs Carstairs is co round now, she will be herself in a o and fill a hot-water bottle, will you? It is chilly to-night, and Mrs Carstairs will probably feel cold"

With a last look at her mistress the woman turned to obey; and Anstice moved back to the bed to find his patient's eyes open and fixed upon hi of perplexity in their depths

"Don't try to move just yet," he counselled her quickly "You've had a bad faint, and must lie still for a little while Do you feel better?"

"Much better, thank you" Her voice, though it sounded weak, was oddly deep in tone "I suppose I fainted Did they send for you?"