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Rh Adams, who is with her now, says that it will be better to allow her to rest for several hours if she can rather than wake her for nourishment. But I must not annoy you with trivial details of this sort. You said that you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Miss Meade; but only to explain about my stupid accident. I hope your niece is resting easier to-day?"

"I don't know." A little worried frown appeared upon her smooth brow. "I do not wish to seem disloyal; but sometimes I think it would be best if we dispensed with Doctor Adams's services, for the children at least. I am old-fashioned and believe in old-fashioned home remedies to a certain extent; but medical science has advanced with great strides of late, Rannie tells me, and I feel at times that Doctor Adams has stood still."

"You are dissatisfied with his treatment of your niece?" Odell asked quickly.

"No-o." Her reply came with an evidence of mental reservation. "But his manner is sometimes unnecessarily severe. He has excluded even me from the room now, and I am sure that Cissie will miss me the moment she awakes."

The pompous little physician evidently intended to follow his instructions to the letter; and Odell merely shrugged politely as he turned once more to the stairs, but Miss Meade held out a timidly detaining hand.

"Please, Sergeant Odell. I—I do not want to ask any questions which are perhaps tabooed, but my anxiety must be my excuse. I meant to ask you yesterday, but my courage failed; and I can learn nothing from either my brother-in-law or Mr. Titheredge. Has anything been discovered about—about the case which brings you here?"