o you afterwards. Have you no way of
finding where he lives? Looked in his pockets? There may be a letter
there."

It was not an occasion for standing on ceremony, and Railsford, feeling
rather like a pickpocket, took down the jacket from the peg and searched
it. There was only one letter in the pocket, written in a female hand.
It was dated "Sunday," but bore no address further than "London, N." on
the postmark.

"Pity," said the doctor pleasantly. "Of course you have had diphtheria
yourself?"

"No."

"H'm, I can hardly advise you to leave him till somebody comes to
relieve guard. But it's doubtful whether he will be well in time to
nurse you. You should send for your own folk in time."

If this doctor had not been Railsford's only support at present, he
would have resented this professional flippancy more than he did.

"I'm not afraid," said he. "I shall try to find out where his people
live. Meanwhile would it be well to send a trained nurse here; or can I
manage myself?"

"Quite straightforward work," said the doctor, "if you like it. I've
known cases no worse than this finish up in three days, or turn the
corner in seven. You mustn't be surprised if he gets a great deal worse
at night. He's a bit delirious already."

Then the doctor went into a few details as to the medicine and method of
nursing.

The most important thing was to discover, if possible, the address of
the patient's parents, and summon them. He approached the bed in the
vague hope that Branscombe might be able to help him. But the sufferer,
though he opened his eyes, seemed not to know him, and muttered to
himself what sounded more like Greek verse than English. In desperation
Railsford summoned Mrs Phillips. She, cautious woman, with a son of
her own, would by no means come into the room, but stood at the door
with a handkerchief to her mouth.

"Have you any idea where his home is?"

"No. Hasn't he labelled his box?"

"He does not seem to have begun to pack at all. Do you know the
doctor's address?"

"No, he said no letters were to be forwarded. You'll excuse me, Mr
Railsford, but as you are taking charge, I should like to be spared away
an hour or so. I feel so upset, like. A bit of fresh air would be the
very thing for me."

She was evidently in such a panic on her own account, and so nervous of
her proximity even to Railsford, that he saw it was little use to
object.

"You must be back in two hours, with