The landlord’s flaxen-haired daughter was merely incidental to his pleasure, because she filled his mug.

He also wanted to get rid of Simone.

Had he known, he could have done so by a show of humility, or an avalanche of attentions. But when he turned away from her, he snapped yet another link of the chain which connected Helen with safety.

Almost running into his room, he slammed the door be hind him, and threw himself on the bed.

“Women are the devil,” he told the Alsatian. “Never get married, my lad.”

In an evil temper, Simone flounced down the stairs. On the landing, she met Mrs. Oates who was showing Nurse Barker to her patient’s’ room. At the sight of the ferocious-looking woman, her expression, slightly cleared, for her jealousy was so inflamed that she would have resented an attractive nurse.

“Young Mrs. Warren,” whispered Mrs. Oates, as she knocked at the door of the blue room.’

Nurse Barker grunted, for she recognized the type. “Nymphomaniac,” she said.

“Oh, no, she’s quite sane,” declared Mrs. Oates. “Just flighty.”

Miss Warren opened the door-a film of welcome in her pale eyes.

“I’m glad you’ve come, nurse,” she said.

“Yes, I expect you’re glad to pass on the job to me,” observed Nurse Barker. “Can I see the patient?”

She stalked after Miss Warren, into the blue room, and stood beside the bed, where Lady Warren lay in a shrunken heap, with closed clay-colored lids. “I do hope she’ll take a fancy to you,” hinted Miss Warren nervously.

“Oh, we’ll soon be friends,” said Nurse Barker confidently. “I’ve a way with old people. They want kindness with firmness. They’re just like children, at the other end,”

Lady Warren suddenly opened an eye which was not in the least child-like, unless it was that of an infant shot out of an eternity of sin._’”

“Is that the new nurse?” she asked.

“Yes, Mother,” replied Miss Warren.

“Send her away.” Miss Warren looked helplessly at the nurse.

“Oh dear,” she murmured, ‘I’m afraid she’s taken an other dislike.”

“That’s nothing,” said Nurse Barker. “She’s being a bit naughty, that’s all. I’ll soon win her over.”

“Send her away,” repeated Lady Warren. “I want the girl back.”

Nurse Barker saw her chance of redeeming her unpopularity.

“You shall have her, tonight,” she promised.

Then she drew Miss Warren aside.

“Is there any brandy in the room?” she asked. “I’m medically ordered to take a leetle stimulant.”

Miss Warren looked disturbed.

“I thought you. understood this is a teetotal house,” she explained. “As you know, you are paid a higher salary.”

“But it’s not safe to have no brandy in a sick room,” insisted Nurse Barker.

“My mother depends on oxygen,” explained Miss War ren. “It is her life… . Still… . Perhaps… . I’ll speak to the Professor.”

Driven before the towering form of Nurse Barker, she drifted across the landing, like a withered leaf in the eddy of an east wind.

The professor appeared at his bedroom door, in answer to his sister’s tap. He greeted the nurse with stony courtesy, and listened to her request. “Certainly you may have brandy, if you require it,” he said. “I will go down, at once, to the cellar, and send a. bottle up to your room.”

Helen, who was helping in the kitchen, glanced curiously at Mrs.