The Washington times., 1912-11-06
CHAPTER II.
"Mrs. Peter Thompkins."

a. ana she lay BACK BREATH
mad even heard the accusation. Luck
~, the train was already moving. In a
Few minutes. however. they would be
w,, LONDON and then what should he do
Now that he had declared her to be
MS wife, II would arouse the suspicion
the police 4 hs parted cd from her at
Sert the poor child In her terrible pre-
aicament. For she was innocent; he
was sure of that.
But here he was wasting precious
time worrying about the future when
ne ought to be doing something to re-
we her. 1t was simply imperative that
sne should be able to leave the train
without evciting remark, as once out
SIDE side the station the immediate danger
would be over.
lbs ministrations, however, were in
enectual. and to bis dismay the train
sign Of returning .consciousness.
a porter opened the door.
Bring a glass of water; the lady has
tainted" he ordered.
IN Few minutes the porter return
60 borrowed by the police Inspector.
later latter eyed them with reawakened
AS he knelt by the girls side. her
her. he suddenly became aware that a
number OF people had collected near
.ne door and were watching the scene
them en u neon an,d interest And among
at him with open mouthed anna cement
he had completely forgotten him!
II he didn't look out the fellow would
~. P s 70 n give ve,, tne situation away.
The valet elbowed his way through
The .yo er9w m;,,r... IN, ,,,,,., ~. -.
flask" '"' wv NY
Critehton spoke slowly and distinct
and LOCKED Peter commandingly in
n 4.
he hold his tongue? Crichton watched
him breathlessly. For a moment Peter
plinked at him uncomprehendingiy:
me Shen the surprise slowly faded from
VERY well SIR" was all he said as
he went off automatically, to do his
masters bidding: An order has a won
11eriLuIly steadying effect on we'll
The brandy having been brought.
Crichton tried to force a few drops
After a few minutes. however. he had
To abandon the attempt.
The situation was desperate.
ah me inspector stepped forward
send for a doctor? The lady looks
badly. and she can't stay here, you
know; The train has to be backed out
IN n few minutes. Wen carry her to
the waiting room II you wish: or.
come to think OF 1t. hadn't you better
call an ambulance? Then you can
would know what to do for her"
An ambuiance! The Very thing: Get
one Immediately"
The last passenger was just leaving
me station when the ambulance clat-
tered up.
boy. seemed to know his business,
and after examining the girl and ask
ing a few questions. he proceeded to
administer various remedies which he
took out of a bag.
"1 am afraid this case Is too serious
What is the trouble?"
"Of course. can't speak with any
think the lady is in for an attack of
what shall do?"
I'VE will take her home, and in the
meantime telephone to whatever doctor
you wish to have called, so that he can
see the patient as soon as possible"
Il have no house In town. l was 60
invalid there"
"of course not What do you say
TO taking her at once to a nursing
Yes. that would De best Which one
would you recommend? I am ignorant
Of such matters"
"well, DR. stuart Smith has one not
far from here; You know him by repu-
Certainly. All right; take her there"
II had better telephone and prepare
them them for mo our arrival What is the
The inspectors eyes were upon him;
Peter was at his elbow. There was no
Mrs Cyril Crichton." he said.
The doctor returned in a few minutes.
room, and Dr. Smith VIII Wi Be SsT there sS' al;
most as soon as we are"
ytV0 has toto la hall
the doctor turned to Cyril and said:
II suppose you prefer to accompany
Mrs. .Crichton. You may get in. in
front"
Crichton meekly obeyed
Take my things to the lodgings and
wait for me there. and, by the way. be
sure to telephone at once to Mr.. Camp
diately," he called to Peter. as they
They had apparently got rid of the
police-that was something, at all
events. His own position, however.
caused him the gravest concern. 1t was
not only compromising, but supremely
ridiculous. He must extricate himself
His only chance. he decided. lay in
confding the truth to DR.. Smith. Great
physicians have necessarily an enor-
nous knowledge of life, and. therefore.
he would be better able than any other
man to understand the situation and
advise him as to what should be done.
Al all events, the etlquette OF MS CALI
ing would prevent a doctor from dvulg-
ing a professional secret, even in the
case of his failing to sympathize with
Cyrirs knight-errantry.
Crichton heaved a sigh OF satisfaction.
His troubles would soon be over.
The ambulance stopped. The girl was
carried into the house and taken pos
session OF by an efhcent-looking nurse
cyril requested to wait in the reception
room while she was being put to bed
He was told DR.. smith would communi-
cate with him as soon as he had ex-
amined the patient.
Crichton paced the room in ,feverish
impatience. His doubts revived. What
II the doctor should refuse to keep her?
Again and again he rehearsed what he
intended to say to him, but.the oftener
he did so the more incredible did his
story appear
It also occurred to him that a ply
sician might not feel himself bound to
secrecy when it was question of con-
cealing facts other than those relating
to a patients physical condition. What
II the doctor should consider 1t his duty
TO inform the police of her whereabouts ?
At last the door opened. DIR. Smith
proved to be a short. gray-haired man,
with piercing black eyes under beatling.
L.. nI lA.,