“I’m glad to hear that. I was afraid he might have been arrested in Dublin. If it’s only influenza there’s no reason why he shouldn’t send me the key of the bag. I suppose you’ll be going round to see him in the course of the afternoon, Lalage.” “We hadn’t thought of doing that,” said Lalage, “but of course we can if you particularly want us to.” “I wish you would, and tell him to send me the key of the bag at once. You could bring it back with you.” “Certainly,” said Lalage. “Is that all?” “That’s all I want; but it would be civil to ask how he is.” “There’s no use making a special, formal visit for a trifle like that. Hilda will run round at once. It won’t take her ten minutes.” Hilda hesitated. “Run along, Hilda,” said Lalage. Hilda still hesitated. It occurred to me that she might not know where Titherington’s house was. “Turn to the right,” I said, “as soon as you get out of the hotel. Then go on to the end of the street. Mr. Titherington’s house is at the corner and stands a little way back. It has ‘Sandringham’ in gilt letters on the gate. You can’t miss it. In fact, you can see it from the door of the hotel. Nurse will show it to you.” Even then Hilda did not start. “The key of what bag?” she asked. “Is it any particular bag?” said Lalage. “Of course it is,” I said. “What on earth would be the use----?” “Will Tithers knows what bag you mean?” said Lalage. “He will. Now that he has influenza himself he can’t help knowing.” “Off with you, Hilda.” This time Hilda started, slowly. The nurse, who evidently thought that Hilda was being badly treated, went with her. She certainly took her as far as the hotel door. She may have gone all the way to Titherington’s house. Lalage sat down opposite me and lit a cigarette. “We are having a high old time,” she said. “Now that Tithers is gone and O’Donoghue, who appears to be rather an ass, professes to have a sore throat----” She winked at me. “Do you suspect him of having influenza?” I asked. “Of course, but he won’t own up if he can help it.” “Vittie is only shamming,” I said. “Titherington told me so, he may emerge at any moment.” “It’s just like Tithers to say that. The one thing he cannot do is speak the truth. As a matter of fact Vittie is in a dangerous condition. His aunt told me so.” “Have you been to see him.” “No. The aunt came round to us this morning with tears in her eyes, and begged us to spare Vittie.” “I suppose the things you have been saying about him have made him worse.” “According to his aunt they keep him in such an excitable state that he can’t sleep. I told her I was jolly glad to hear it. That just shows the amount of good the A.S.P.L. is doing in the district. It’s making its power felt in every direction.” “If Vittie dies------”