d Mr.
Cooley knew he was away and had taken advantage of it. If only Tod would
come. Perhaps he had already received the message.

As she entered, the doctors half rose from their chairs and bowed. There
was a quiet dignity in her manner that compelled their respect. Each
looked intently at her, and Dr. McMutrie, leaving his seat, placed a
chair for her so she might face them.

"Now, Miss Marsh," he said, not unkindly, "please don't be alarmed.
There is nothing to be afraid of. We are here only for your own good.
Won't you please answer the few questions we shall ask you? It is merely
a matter of form. Please take a seat, and above all, don't be nervous."

Paula sat down, and he returned to his place. Mr. Cooley made a sign to
Mrs. Parkes to withdraw, and the landlady was about to obey when Paula
stopped her.

"Please don't go, Mrs. Parkes--please don't go!" she cried almost
hysterically.

Mr. Cooley was about to object, but on a sign of assent from the head of
the commission, the landlady was allowed to remain.

Mr. Cooley now proceeded to business.

"We ask your pardon, Miss Marsh, for what seems to be an unwarranted
intrusion, but--the law prescribes our rights--that is, my client's
right to take any steps he may deem necessary to see you and bring these
gentlemen with him for the purpose of--er--talking over your future."

"My future?" she echoed. Looking around in bewilderment she demanded:
"Who--who are these gentlemen?"

Mr. Cooley hastened to reply.

"Friends of your uncle's--friends of mine--of yours."

"What do they want?" she demanded falteringly.

The lawyer grew red in the face. He was at a loss to answer frankly her
very direct question. Stuttering and stammering, he said:

"To--er--just to--er----" Not knowing what to say, he introduced the
doctors: "Professor Bodley, of Michigan, State Psychopathic expert--also
Professor of Psychotherapy, Ann Arbor--Miss Marsh."

Professor Bodley bowed pompously.

Mr. Cooley continued the presentations:

"Dr. McMutrie, the eminent expert pathologist, psychologist, and
alienist--Examiner New York State institutions, etc., etc., etc., Miss
Paula Marsh--my client's niece. I need not introduce Dr. Zacharie--your
family physician."

"He is not my family physician," interrupted Paula, with quiet dignity.

"Not now perhaps," said Cooley soothingly. "But he was--er--now--er--
I'm sorry Mr. Ricaby isn't here to explain more fully the object----"

"What is