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98 against the wall and removed from it a small box, which he laid upon the table and opened. Odell drew his chair up to the table and took from his pocket the small black paper packet and a piece of scarlet embroidery silk.

Then, while Doctor Adams watched him with growing amazement, he picked up the needle from the box, opened the packet and compared the others with it, afterward laying the packet aside. Next he took up the piece of embroidery silk and endeavored to thread the needle. His maneuvers would have been comic had it not been for the tenseness of his expression as for the following ten minutes he struggled with his unaccustomed task. At last he looked up at the other.

"Doctor Adams, while I was awaiting my turn to consult you I studied the nurse who acts as attendant in your waiting-room. I saw that she had keen eyes and a steady hand. May I ask that you summon her for a moment?"

"Certainly, Sergeant." The physician pressed a button on his desk. "I must confess that I am tremendously interested, but I cannot imagine what point you are trying to satisfy yourself upon."

"I will tell you presently," Odell responded as the trim young woman entered.

"Miss Wardell, this gentleman would like you to do something for him."

She shifted her tranquil gaze from the doctor to his visitor, and Odell held out to her the needle and silk.

"Will you thread this for me, please?"

Wondering, Miss Wardell took them from him; but after one or two fruitless attempts to comply she raised her eyes again to his.