I gazed down at them with a sort of fascinated interest. Somehow or other it seemed rather like reading one's own tombstone, and I couldn't help wondering whether I was in the main hall or whether I had been dignified with an eligible site in the Chamber of Horrors. If it hadn't been for my appointment I should most certainly have taken a cab straight up to Marylebone Road in order to find out. Promising myself that treat on the morrow, I stuck to my seat, and at ten minutes to five by the station clock we drew up outside Victoria. I got off and walked briskly along to Edith Terrace. Turning the corner of the street, I observed the figure of Miss Gertie 'Uggins leaning against the front railings, apparently engaged in conversation with an errand boy on the other side of the road. As soon as she recognized me she dived down the area steps, reappearing at the front door just as I reached the house. "I was watchin' for yer," she remarked in a hoarse whisper. "There's summun wants to see yer in there." She jerked her thumb towards the sitting-room. "It's a lidy," she added. "A lady!" I said. "What sort of a lady?" "Ow! A reel lidy. She's got a lovely 'at." "Is she young and dark and rather nice to look at?" I asked. Gertie nodded. "That's 'er. She wouldn't give no nime, but that's 'er right enough." I didn't wait to ask any more questions, but putting down my hat on the hall table, I walked up to the sitting-room and tapped lightly on the door. "Come in," called out a voice. I turned the handle, and the next moment I was face to face with Sonia. CHAPTER XIV A SUMMONS FROM DR. McMURTRIE She had risen from the sofa as I entered and was standing in the centre of the room. The neatly cut, close-fitting dress that she was wearing suited her dark beauty to perfection and showed off the lines of her lithe, slender figure. She gave me a curious momentary impression of some sort of graceful wild animal. "Ah!" she exclaimed softly. "I am glad you weren't late. I have to go away quite soon." I took the hand she held out to me. "My dear Sonia," I said, "why didn't you let me know that you were going to be the visitor?" "I didn't know myself," she answered. "The doctor meant to come, but he was called away unexpectedly this afternoon, so he sent me instead. I have got a letter for you from him." She let go my fingers gently, and picking up her bag which was lying on the table, opened it and took out an envelope. "Shall I read it now?" I asked. She nodded. I slit up the flap and pulled out a folded sheet of foolscap from inside. It was in McMurtrie's handwriting, but there was no date and no address. "DEAR MR. NICHOLSON,