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206 I actually suspected my patient was being done to death; but I could not understand why she did not rally under the treatment My own impressions were too vague for me to approach the physician in charge with them, but they were strong enough to make me take every precaution possible during my hours on duty. I am heartily glad that an investigation is to be made."

"Every precaution," the detective repeated; and a light broke suddenly over him. "Is that why you would not leave Mrs. Lorne alone with her husband?"

A slight flush came into the girl's face, but her eyes met his steadily.

"Yes, Sergeant Odell. She was in my charge, and I did not think it wise. I have no proof; I make neither explanation nor defense of my conduct. It was my prerogative to deny my patient any communication, even with members of her family, which might prove harmful to her in her condition, and I exercised it."

"But you permitted her sister to be almost constantly with her; you must have had some especial reason for denying that privilege to Mr. Lorne."

The girl hesitated, but only for a moment. Then she said slowly:

"If you understood the ethics of my profession and the position in which we nurses stand in relation to the physician in charge of a case, you would realize why I have mentioned this to no one until now. I noticed that Mrs. Lorne grew rapidly worse after each interview alone with her husband; and on at least one occasion I am sure, although I cannot prove it, that the bandage upon her hand