Leaving her position by the window, Miriam walked softly over to the bed. Her patient's deep breathing assured her that Mrs. Nash was comfortably asleep and Miriam's heart lightened; she would not have to summon Doctor Nash, for, in spite of his wife's wishes, Miriam did not propose to awaken her. The closing of a door further down the hall with a resounding bang brought her hand to her heart and Mrs. Nash's eyes unclosed in time to notice Miriam's agitation. "What was that noise?" she demanded. "What has happened to make you so pale?" "Nothing--it's the lamplight," Miriam stammered a trifle incoherently. "A door slammed and startled me." Mrs. Nash rubbed her eyes and inspected her with interest. Miriam's trig uniform was becoming. "Nerves," Mrs. Nash remarked caustically. "Have you seen Doctor Nash?" "He has just returned and I believe is still downstairs," responded Miriam. "But, Mrs. Nash, you should not see any one at this hour." "Tut! My nap has refreshed me, and besides, I am stronger, much stronger," with emphasis, and she struggled into a sitting position. "Just throw that bed sacque over my shoulders and ask Doctor Nash to come here, there's a good child!" Miriam's hesitation was interrupted by a low tap on the bedroom door, and walking swiftly over to it she found Doctor Roberts standing in the hall. "I am on my way to bed," he said, softly. "How is Mrs. Nash?" "Her general condition is better now." Miriam slipped outside and held the door so that their voices would not carry into the bedroom. "But when I came on duty I found her cyanosed, so I gave her stimulation and applied heat locally." Doctor Roberts stroked his chin thoughtfully, then moved toward the door and Miriam held it open. Mrs. Nash greeted him with a frown. "Some more horrid medicine," she grumbled. "Well, all paths lead to the grave." "A cheerful outlook," smiled Roberts as he took her pulse. "You ought to be asleep at this hour." "I never felt more wakeful," and Mrs. Nash's alert look confirmed her words. "Where have you been all the evening?" "At Sheriff Trenholm's--Alan Mason and I dined with Trenholm, and your husband drove us back." "What was he doing there?" The look which she flashed at him startled the physician. "He had come for Betty Carter, having missed her at the cemetery," replied Roberts. He was commencing to feel uncomfortable under Mrs. Nash's steady stare. Quickly he rose to forestall other questions. "We returned together a few minutes ago. Now, Mrs. Nash, it is after midnight and you must get to sleep." "Presently," she retorted. "As you go to your room, Doctor, please ask Alex to come here. I shall not sleep until I have seen my husband," and her air of finality closed the discussion. "Good night." Roberts smiled at her characteristic dismissal. At the door he turned to Miriam and signed to her to come into the hall.