the shoulder, but he began to feel a little
impatient when the examiner took hold of his face to turn it to the
light and with a tentative finger commenced to prod his jaw.

"No peculiar sensation there, I suppose?" the doctor asked as he
touched the muscles just in front of the ears.

"No, certainly not."

What was the man getting at? It was exceedingly tiresome. At last the
inquisition ended; the doctor straightened his tall bulk and spoke,
non-committally, but with raised eyebrows.

"I must certainly disinfect it at once. That at least one can do."

This remark and the tone in which it was uttered were both so far from
reassuring that Miss Clifford hastened to inquire: "Has it become
infected in any way, do you think?"

"I trust not. I trust not. I fancy some dirt or grit has got into it,
and no wonder; still ... will there be time to see to it before dinner?
It really shouldn't be left."

"Oh, it is only ten minutes past eight," replied Therese, glancing at
the clock, "and I ordered dinner for half-past."

"Very well, I will attend to it now."

When the doctor was out of the room Roger laughed a little, examining
the raw, inflamed fissure on his thumb.

"He's not the most cheery person in the world, is he? I've begun to
imagine I've caught some terrible germ or other."

Therese smiled as she rose from her chair.

"I shouldn't worry, that is simply his way. I am sure he didn't mean
to alarm you. I am just going to scribble a note before dinner, while
that is being done," she added, and went into her own room, closing the
door.

"That was a stroke of luck," whispered Roger. "She wasn't in the least
offended, was she? She positively met me half-way."

"She really is a good sort, Roger," returned the old lady cautiously.
"I only wish we..."

She was unable to complete the sentence because of the doctor's
re-entry. He approached the table near the fire and laid his leather
case upon it, then carefully began to spread out various
things--cotton-wool, gauze, scissors, a bottle of iodine. With
mechanical precision he prepared a long strip of gauze, plodding
steadily ahead, entirely concentrated on his occupation. His broad
back was turned to Roger and also to the hall door. He did not even
trouble to turn around when the door opened rather suddenly, and the
voice of Chalmers, sounding somewhat strained, spoke.

"Beg pardon, miss, but here is Miss..."

He did not finish, for just then an