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Rh upon it or in the infected spot itself which suggested that some foreign matter might have been introduced?"

"No; I could not say that," she replied conscientiously. "The irritation and consequent suppuration had materially increased, and the patient's temperature had risen; but I found no trace of poison, if that is what you mean."

"Will you tell me all the circumstances, please? Was anyone else near Mrs. Lorne on that occasion?"

"No. Miss Meade was sleeping on the day bed in the boudoir adjoining, but she never stirred until I awakened her at midnight. She was utterly worn out and had gone to rest immediately after dinner on the evening in question, which was five days before Mrs. Lorne's death.

"I was alone with my patient when about nine o'clock Mr. Lorne knocked upon the door and I admitted him. After a few minutes I left him quietly talking to his wife; and requesting him not to remain more than twenty minutes, I went to my own room, where I wrote a letter. In exactly the time I had stipulated I returned and found that he had gone, and my patient was in the condition which I have described.

"I looked in the boudoir and saw that Miss Meade was still sleeping, and when I awakened her later I learned she had heard no one in her sister's room. I asked Mrs. Lorne herself if anyone had touched the bandage, but she denied it and seemed resentful. She was not a particularly easy patient to handle, being high-strung and self-indulgent to a degree; and it was essential that she should not be permitted to excite herself, so I dared not question her further."

The quiet, unemotional voice had continued without emphasis or hesitation until the end; and now the girl sat