“Eh, what?” he grunted. He got up on to his feet and stretched himself. “I’m tired. I told you I should go to sleep. You said you’d be here before now. _She’s_ sleeping. I’ll bet she’s got a more comfortable bed to-night than she’s had for twenty years.” “Shut up, damn you!” said Chesney under his breath. “Here’s Miss Reddle.” The doctor blinked at the girl. “Hullo! Glad to see you, miss. Sorry for you to see me like this, but I’ve been up all night with--with a patient.” He boomed the last word as though by its very emphasis it would carry conviction. “Now listen, Tappatt. There’s a warrant out for this lady, but we’ve succeeded in getting her away from the police, and she is to remain here for a few days until her ladyship can square matters.” Lois gasped. “A warrant out for me?” she said in amazement. “But you told me that Dorn had no right to arrest me!” He smiled and signalled to her to keep silence. “Has the woman got Miss Reddle’s room ready? She is very tired and wants to sleep.” “Surely, surely,” mumbled the doctor. He held a bottle upside down over a glass, and a very small trickle of liquid came out, to his annoyance. “I must have a drink,” he grumbled. “This fever is playing Old Harry with me.” “But, Mr. Praye,” said Lois, “I don’t quite understand the position. Why am I staying here? Where is this place?” “Near Nottingham,” replied Praye. “And, for heaven’s sake, don’t stray out of the farm and lose yourself. You’ll be all right; you needn’t be here longer than a few days, and I assure you that there is no cause for worry.” He looked at his watch and uttered an impatient exclamation. “Is Miss Reddle’s room ready?” he asked sharply. The doctor led the way out along the passage and up a narrow flight of stairs. On the top landing he unlocked a door and threw it open. “Here it is.” “But I’m not tired, Mr. Praye; in fact, I was never so wide awake, and I’d rather stay up, if I could have some tea?” “You can have anything you like, my child,” said the doctor gallantly. “Where’s that woman? Hi, you!” he roared down the stairs. “Bring this lady up some tea, and bring it quick!” Lois walked into the bedroom. It was poorly furnished but clean. She had the impression that every article of furniture had been newly placed. “This was the room we got ready for the other,” began the doctor, “but when I heard the young lady was coming----” Chesney Praye silenced him with a look. The other? Twice he had made reference to another visitor who had already arrived. “That door at the end leads to a bathroom,” said the doctor. “It is the snuggest little country lodging you could hope to find.” He closed the door on her and softly turned the key. The two men went down the stairs together. When they were alone in the doctor’s room: “Where’s Pinder?” asked Chesney Praye. “She’s all right,” said the other carelessly. “She’s nowhere near this girl?”