"Oh, that's just a by-phrase among those of us who have worked here a long while and feel a certain loyalty and responsibility for the ideals of this institution. We have tried to stand for honest, humane work as against mere moneygrubbing and popularity." "I see. That's why Dempsy sent me here; that's why he's coming himself. Thank you, Miss Maxwell. I hope you're right." Peter straightened himself and moved toward the door. "Wait a minute, Mr. Brooks. How much do you know of what happened three years ago?" "Just what has dripped from the wagging tongues." Peter smiled ironically. "Suppose I tell you the truth of it. It might help you to fight this thing through. It certainly couldn't hurt your love for Leerie if you really love her." "Nothing could," said Peter, simply. "Doctor Brainard and Leerie were the very best of friends during the years she was training and he was working under Doctor Jefferson. Then I thought it was love; they were always together, and there seemed to be a strong, deep sympathy between the two. Just about the time she graduated things began to go awry. Doctor Brainard was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and Leerie seemed to be laboring under some bad mental strain. Then the nurses began to hint that Leerie had been going to his room. One night, when she was head night nurse in the Surgical and Miss Jacobs was fourth corridor nurse, Miss Jacobs called me up at two in the morning and told me Leerie had been in Doctor Brainard's room for an hour. I came at once and found her there. She made no explanation, offered no excuses. She even acknowledged that she had been there twice before at the same time." "What did Brainard say?" Peter asked it through clenched teeth. "Nothing then. But later, when he was called before the Board, he laughed and asked what a man could say when a nurse chose to come to his room at two in the morning." "The cad!" and Peter swore under his breath. "I should have believed in Leerie, anyway, but it was that laugh of Doctor Brainard's that made me determined to fight for her. What motive Doctor Brainard had for not defending her I don't know, but he acted like a scoundrel." "But why?" Peter beat the air. "Oh, the girl must have known she couldn't run amuck with convention that way and not have it hurt her! Why did she do it?" The superintendent of nurses looked long and thoughtfully at him. "Do you know, Mr. Brooks, if I happened to be the man who loved Sheila O'Leary, I think I'd find that out as soon as I could. The answer might prove valuable; it might solve the riddle why Sheila doesn't want Doctor Dempsy operated on here." "Well, is he going to be?" "No, we'll take him on to the Dentons if he can be moved again after he gets here."