"Oh, how can you say that! It is terrible if two responsible persons know that this wicked thing is going on and take no steps to stop it! I can’t be a party to it, and I was in hopes that you would help me." "I was kicked out of the house by that unspeakable cad, Chard, and I can’t go back again. We have no possible way of getting at him, except one--to lodge a complaint with the police. Are you prepared to do that? Frightful responsibility is incurred by taking that step, of course--to say nothing of the publicity attending it." Isla sank back. "Oh, Dr. Stephens, I couldn’t do that! But surely you, an influential medical man, knowing the facts, can do something--ought to do something----" He shook his head. "I’m not so well up in medical jurisprudence as I used to be," he said with a slight smile. "But I’ll take expert opinion to-day. Could you possibly come and see me to-morrow?" "I could, of course. What I am trying to do is to persuade Mrs. Chard to let you resume personal attendance on her. If she consents will you come?" "I don’t know. It is a very awkward case. Don’t forget that Chard put me out of the house because I told him quite plainly--well, just what you have told me to-day." Isla saw the difficulties of the position and, after a little more conversation with the doctor which strengthened her determination to get him back to the house, she bade him good-morning. When she reached Hans Crescent it was almost lunch-time, and Robbins, the butler, was waiting for her with a note. "This has come by hand from the city for you, Miss. It is from Mr. Chard." Isla turned aside to open the letter, and when she broke the seal she saw a pink slip that looked like a cheque. Within, there were written a few curt words, dismissing her from her position in the house and requesting that she would leave before four o’clock. With reddening cheeks she passed up the stairs and tapped lightly at the door of Mrs. Chard’s room. There was no answer, and, after repeated knocks, she tried to open the door and found it locked. At the moment Fifine appeared at the other end of the corridor with a small, satisfied smirk on her lips. "Mrs. Chard can’t see you, Mees. She particularly said I was not to let you in. She’s asleep now. She told me to say that she will write to you in the evening if you will be good enough to leave your address." Isla turned on her heel, her quick Highland temper flashing in her eyes. She was very sorry for the poor woman, but she could not be ordered from her house a second time. She walked to her own room and began to gather her belongings together. CHAPTER XXIV THE CHAMPION