"No, sir," exclaimed Mrs. Parkes, with a low curtsy. "Indeed, there isn't." "A very sensible way to look at it," replied the lawyer with a grim smile of satisfaction, "and now, my good lady, please tell Miss Marsh that we are waiting for her." Jimmy Marsh came forward, his manner fidgetty and nervous. "Perhaps my niece may not be quite prepared," he stammered. "In that case you will tell her that we will wait for her." "Quite so," chimed in Cooley. "That is--we'll wait a reasonable time." "We'll be very gentle with her," added Jimmy considerately. "Very well, sir," said Mrs. Parkes, now thoroughly cowed. She crossed the room and knocked at Paula's door. Receiving no answer, she knocked again. At last a voice called out: "Who's there?" "It's only me, dear--Mrs. Parkes." There was the sharp click of a key being turned. The door was opened cautiously. The landlady went in and the door slammed to again. "And now, young man," said Mr. Cooley, who had watched the proceedings without comment. "If you will kindly withdraw we shall all regard your absence most favorably." Thoroughly intimidated by the lawyer's domineering manner, Harry went sheepishly towards the door. As he reached the threshold he turned and said timidly: "Of course you understand, sir, that there is no engagement of any sort--there never was." With a gesture the lawyer waved him to be gone. "That's all right," he said disdainfully. As he disappeared the lawyer turned to see what the commission was doing. All the doctors were busy. Dr. McMutrie was deeply engrossed in the reading of a voluminous report. Professor Bodley, not quite sure what was expected of him, was glancing over some newspaper clippings and trying to look wise. Dr. Zacharie rose and held out a paper which he had selected from a number of others spread out on the table before him. "This, gentlemen," he said pompously, "is the daily report--a very minute observation." "Hum!" growled the inspector, looking up, "I don't see anything very serious so far." "Do you anticipate any trouble?" whispered Jimmy to Mr. Cooley. "I don't anticipate it," rejoined the lawyer dryly, "but I'm prepared for it. If it comes, Bascom Cooley will be on deck." Confidently he added: "McMutrie is the only hard nut we have to crack. He's one of those d----d conscientious fellows. He may ask awkward questions. Zacharie is ours--and Bodley is a d----d fool. He's liable to jump in any direction, but he'll follow McMutrie in the final say. Zacharie is the family physician, and that always carries conviction." "We were very lucky to get him," chuckled Jimmy. "Hush!" commanded Cooley. "Dr. McMutrie is talking to you." In a warning undertone, he added: "Take care what you say!" "Has your niece ever threatened you personally, Mr. Marsh?" demanded Dr. McMutrie. "Specifically no--constructively yes," answered Cooley promptly for his client. The inspector looked annoyed. "Excuse me, Mr. Cooley," he snapped. "I addressed Mr. Marsh."