Monteith. Just tell me his name and I won’t bother you more. I can see you are impatient to hang up. I shall be sure to let Mr. Monteith know how helpful you have been.”

There was cold rebuke in the voice and a hint of something vindictive. The secretary drew a deep breath and tried to steady her voice.

“It was Dr. Sargent, Miss Cass. Dr. Malcolm Sargent. But I’m quite sure it wouldn’t do you any good to call Dr. Sargent for Mr. Monteith told me that he was leaving for the west this morning. He must be gone by this time. It was fully two hours ago that Mr. Monteith left here.”

“Thank you!” said Demeter Cass acridly. “I shall be sure to tell Mr. Monteith how helpful you have been.”

There were angry tears in the secretary’s eyes as she hung up. But what could she do? Miss Cass often came to the office to see her employer. He looked after her legal business for her. And of course there couldn’t be any harm in giving Dr. Sargent’s name. He would be gone anyway.

But Demeter Cass lost no time in calling Dr. Sargent’s office.

Dr. Sargent was gone, but the nurse, Miss Rice, was still in the office. She answered with her usual quiet courtesy. Yes, this was Dr. Sargent’s office but Dr. Sargent was not in. He had left on the train a few minutes ago for the west. Yes, Mr.