"No!" replied Margaret Gardiner, in that same high, clear, solemn voice that seemed to vibrate through every pore of Sally's body. "I think Andrew fully believes what he states to be the truth; but he has not deceived. He has been most cleverly fooled by some one else." "What--what--makes you--think that?" cried Sally, sharply. "Those are strong words and a strange accusation to make, Miss Margaret." "I am quite well aware of that," was the slow reply. And as Jay's sister uttered the words, Sally could feel the strong gaze which accompanied them burn like fire to the very depths of her beating heart. What did Margaret Gardiner suspect? Surely, she would never think of suspecting that she--his bride--had any hand in Jay's illness? There would be no apparent reason. "Shall I tell you whom I suspect knows more of this than----" "Doctor Baker, miss," announced one of the servants; and the coming of the famous old doctor put a stop to all further conversation for the present, much to Sally's intense relief. CHAPTER L. Young Mrs. Gardiner looked fearfully and eagerly into the face of the stern-countenanced old doctor who had just entered and had stepped up hurriedly to his patient's bedside. He had heard from the messenger who had come for him just what had occurred to Jay Gardiner, and he was greatly puzzled. "The toothache drops you speak of were compounded by me," he declared, "and they certainly do not act as you describe. Ten drops would produce balmy sleep. An overdose acts as an emetic, and would not remain a moment's time on the stomach. That is their chief virtue--in rendering an overdose harmless. I am confident the mischief can not lie with the toothache drops." Doctor Baker had entered and gone directly to the bedside of his patient, as we have said, simply nodding to Miss Margaret, and not waiting for an introduction to the bride. The moment his eyes fell upon his patient, he gave a start of surprise. "Ah," he muttered, "my case of instruments! Hand them to me quickly. This is a case of life or death! Not an instant's time is to be lost. I dare not wait for the coming of the consulting physicians who have been sent for." "What are you about to do?" cried Sally, springing forward, her eyes gleaming. "I am about to perform a critical operation to save my patient's life, if it be possible. Every instant of time is valuable." "I say it shall not be done!" cried young Mrs. Gardiner. "I, his wife, command that you do not proceed until the rest of the doctors sent for arrive and sanction such an action!" The old doctor flushed hotly. Never, in all the long years of his practice, had his medical judgment ever been brought into question before, and at first, anger and resentment rose in quick rebellion in his heart; the next instant he had reasoned with himself that this young wife should be pardoned for her words, which had been uttered in the greatest stress of excitement.