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 "Not for a couple of days, I fear," said the medical woman. It is better to say nothing about this detective to her. It will only agitate her and throw her back, and spoil the chance of her speedy recovery, which, of course, we must promote in every way."

"My position," said Mrs. Dumaresq, "is horrible. The idea of knowing such people! What will my friends say?"

"What will all our friends say?" exclaimed the medical woman abruptly. "We are every one in the same position. It will be an awful scandal, and the worst of it is, that I fear this is not the whole story. You take my word, there is more to come out. I had my suspicions from the first, but I am naturally good-natured, and could not bring myself to believe them. Every day, however, confirms their truth. A woman who could for so long deceive us as to her real character, a woman who led me, me, to look on her as, at worst, a harmless fool, and was all the time mixed up with police and criminals and baby farmers, is capable of anything."

"Then you think she is?—she has?" queried Mrs. Dumaresq breathlessly.

"I shan't say what I think just yet," said the medical woman. "I will make some