cast shadows according to the density of the parts which the
X-rays penetrate.

With the lead-glass bowl removed, the X-ray tube sent forth its
wonderful invisible radiation and made the back of the fluoroscope
glow with light. I could see the bones of my fingers as I held them up
between the X-ray tube and the fluoroscope. But with the lead-glass bowl
in position over the tube, the fluoroscope was simply a black box into
which I looked and saw nothing. So very little of the radiation escaped
from the bowl that it was negligible--except at one point where there
was an opening in the bottom of the bowl to allow the rays to pass
freely through exactly on the spot on the patient where they were to be
used.

"The dermatitis, they say, has appeared all over her body, particularly
on her head and shoulders," added Dr. Gregory. "Now I have shown you my
apparatus to impress on you how really impossible it would have been
for her to contract it from her treatments here. I've made thousands
of exposures with never an X-ray burn before--except to myself. As for
myself, I'm as careful as I can be, but you can see I am under the rays
very often, while the patient is only under them once in a while."

To illustrate his care he pointed out to us a cabinet directly back of
the operating-table, lined with thick sheets of lead. From this cabinet
he conducted most of his treatments as far as possible. A little
peep-hole enabled him to see the patient and the X-ray apparatus, while
an arrangement of mirrors and a fluorescent screen enabled him to
see exactly what the X-rays were disclosing, without his leaving the
lead-lined cabinet.

"I can think of no more perfect protection for either patient or
operator," said Kennedy admiringly. "By the way, did Mrs. Close come
alone?"

"No, the first time Mr. Close came with her. After that, she came with
her French maid."

The next day we paid a visit to Mrs. Close herself at the private
hospital. Kennedy had been casting about in his mind for an excuse to
see her, and I had suggested that we go as reporters from the Star.
Fortunately after sending up my card on which I had written Craig's name
we were at length allowed to go up to her room.

We found the patient reclining in an easy chair, swathed in bandages,
a wreck of her former self. I felt the tragedy keenly. All that social
position and beauty had meant to her had been suddenly blasted.

"You will pardon my presumption," began Craig