s are really very
much the same. We both care deeply for Clifford. We both want to help
him in his life-work. We both want to do our best for him. That means
that we must pull together and not against one another. We must each of
us think matters out coolly and dispassionately. Isn't that what you
think as well as I?"

"Yes," admitted Elaine.

"Then I'll say good-bye for the present. I mustn't stay longer or Dr.
Hegelmann will call me over the coals. I have to remember that you're
not altogether strong again yet. So I'll say good-bye now and call again
to-morrow morning."

"Good-bye."

"Do you like lilies? I must send you some. As I passed a florist's in
the Wilhelmstrasse I saw some splendid tiger-lilies. Good-bye, my dear."

Elaine waited with feverish impatience for three minutes to elapse, when
she judged Olive would be clear of the house. Then she rang a bell by
her side. She must get a message through to Riviere to let him know of
the new development in the situation before Olive could reach him with
_her_ story. Riviere knew nothing beforehand of Elaine's plan of
self-accusation; it was vital that he should know of it now, when it had
been carried to so effective an end.

The nurse came to answer the call.

"I want to telephone," said Elaine in her halting German.

"But the telephone is downstairs!"

"You must lead me there, nurse."

"No; I cannot do that. It is against orders. The doctor has forbidden
you to leave this room, Frauelein."

"I must! I tell you I must! It's----It's--oh, what is the German for
'vital?'"

The nurse shook her head uncomprehendingly.

Elaine rose from her couch and stumbled with outstretched arms against
the nurse.

"Please lead me to the telephone and get me my number!" she cried in an
agony of anxiety.

"It is against orders. Come, you must lie down again and keep quiet."

There was a brisk rap at the door, and Dr. Hegelmann came in to see how
his patient was progressing.

"What's this?" he exclaimed, seeing Elaine standing up and the nurse
trying to persuade her to return to her couch.

"Doctor, please let me telephone!"

"To whom?"

"To Mr Riviere. I must speak to him quickly--I _must_!"

"Nurse, do as Frauelein asks," he ordered briefly.

The nurse made no comment, but led her patient downstairs at once,
found the telephone number of the laboratory at which Riviere had his
research-bench, and called for the connection.

"What do they say?" asked Elai