Page:Arthur Stringer - The Door of Dread.djvu/390

 professional calmness went from the girl with the scissors as Wilsnach closed the door and stepped back to the bedside.

"It's no use!" she was saying in teary little gasps. "It's no use! I know it's no use! It's gone right through—"

She did not finish, for Sadie, like a sleeper awakening to midnight alarms, called out with a clearness and strength of voice that was startling: "What has happened to me?"

Wilsnach, tight-lipped, turned to the girl with the scissors. He seemed to find something dependable and consolatory in her uniform. He did not actually speak, but his eyes said, as plainly as words: "Is there nothing we can do?"

The girl shook her head. Then she backed slowly away from the bedside, in obedience to Sadie's languid gesture. Wilsnach's gaze followed her.

"But Doctor Wilson—" began the tragic-eyed man.

For the second time the girl shook her head. "It's no use," she whispered, staring at her ensanguined fingers.

Wilsnach turned back to the bed. Then he made a sign for the nurse to withdraw.