The Coolidge examiner., 1937-10-28
CHAPTER XIV-COntinued
--I6--

That couldn't be done, Serena,
Quentin said quietly. Il have never
had this case. But I'm positive-I
don't believe Il know - DR.. Cud-
worth isn't seriously suggesting"
You may do as you think best,
Doctor" the other doctor said
abruptly. 81 would have entire
faith in anything you saw fit to do.
But personally must decline the
responsibility.
II have nothing to do with it,"
Quentin said briefly. Serena turned
on him.
Spencer had acute indigestion,
and he's got bad heart" she said.
But believe me, if there's any in
vestigation, if there's one word of
talk, you're in this, too. Quentin
Hardistyl TN not stand it. I'll not
face a coroner and be questioned,
while you are quietly enjoying your
self over there on the lawn with
your wife. laughing and carrying
the children into the housed"
Il don't think that'u happen"
Quentin said. But Vicky saw that
his face was pale. Il wish you'd
called me earlier!"
How do you know whatn hap
peni" Serena said. Il know. l
can tell you! We had coroner's
investigation when Gita's father
died. know what it means! You'll
have to sign that death warrant,
Quentin, or I'll have to drag your
name into it. You and I've talked
Of what we'd do if he died; you can't
deny that, if they put you on oath!
Everyone knows what we've been to
each other; you had a motive for
giving me something that would
put him to sleep. He told DR.. Cud-
worth here that l wanted to get
rid Of him"
vic, do you want to stay?"
Quentin asked in an undertone, as
the breathless voice died to silence.
This isn't your sort of thing"
mo, Vic won't CO." Serena said
at white heat. You don't think Vic
doesn't know that you love me, that
you've been following me, making
me presents, writing me letters"
Quentin looked at Vicky. looked
away; he spoke quietly.
''Vicky knows just how badly I've
treated her, Serena" he said.
She's always known, from the be-
ginning. I'm not trying to wriggle
out of that If you were really fool
enough to give Spencer sleeping
powders or anything else, I'm in it
with you. There's no question that
you can drag my name and my
children's names in the mud, if you
want to. You can take those let
ters into court"
Letters saying, If it weren't
for Spencer >" Serena inter-
rupted him.
Letters saying everything"
Quentin said in low voice, with
a level glance at her. Letters
saying everything" he repeated.
But one thing isn't true" he went
on slowly. I've never loved but
one woman in all my life; never.
no matter what said or wrote or
did. I've always loved my wife, al
ways, always held her in place
by herself!"
Vicky went over to him and
dropped her hand into his, but he
did not glance at her or seem to
know that she was there.
How nice!" Serena said. $50 l
pay the bill alone. How very nice!"
mo, you and I'll both pay!"
Quentin said. And she'll pay, too.
It means disgrace for us ALL"
There was a sound at the door of
the invahd's room; the amah came
out with an agitated face, shaking
her head. Serena gave short ejac-
ulation and. turning, went across
the hall to her own room and went
into it and closed the door. The
two doctors and Vicky faced the
Chinese woman as she came to-
ward them. Her jargon was unin-
telligible to Quentin. The promised
nurse, hated. coated. cold, rosy,
came upstairs.
"Amah says Spencer heard your
voice and wants to speak to you,"
Vicky interpreted.
My God, when l saw her face 1
thought the poor fellow was gone!"
DR.. Cudworth calculated.
$50 did II" Vicky said.
do you mean" Quentin had
clutched her arm; his fingers bit
into it like a wise, he was almost
shouting. What d'you mean? Ism
he gomez"
"Oh, no; but Quentin. there's no
hope" Vicky said.
Master say other doctor come
now" the amah said in singsoag.
"Yes, come in with me, for God S
sake, Hardisty, and see what you
think!'' Cudworth said, as they all
went together to Spencer's door.
Vicky heard Quentin mutter as if
aa snoke to himself. 1--WE all stand