Monteith,” said Miss Rice crisply. Then to the doctor: “Mr. Patterson is waiting, Dr. Sargent.”

“Send him right in!” said the doctor. Then he turned to Alan.

“I’ll never forget this of you, Alan. It’s an even bigger thing than getting the deal through in time, for Natalie had counted so on my coming Christmas Eve. I just know I shouldn’t let you do this, but somehow I can’t resist it. You’re sure you are not spoiling some delightful plan?”

“Not in the least! I haven’t any delightful plans, I told you. I’m not so keen on this party and don’t care when I arrive there. And I’d go twice as far to have you spend the whole of this Christmas with Natalie and the children. I’m glad to have a part in it.”

“Well,” said the doctor, with a suddenly grave face, “you’re having a part in something far more important than that, you know. You’re helping to save a life. I’m serious about that. It is a matter of life and death with my patient. And I may as well tell you the truth about it: there’s scarcely another man I know I would trust at Christmastime to take an important matter like this over. Especially with a snowstorm coming on. Almost anybody would say, ‘Oh, well, I’ve done my best. A few hours won’t matter.’ But I know you will put a thing like this first. Of course, I don’t anticipate any such necessity. I imagine this is only a flurry of snow. However, I’d take all precautions. Have you got chains on your car?”

Alan laughed.

“Oh, that’s not necessary, Mac, it’s only snowing a few lazy flakes. It won’t amount to anything. Just a flurry to give us a white Christmas. The sun will probably come out by noon and melt it off. Anyway, I don’t like chains. I always say if you are careful you make out better without them.”

“I don’t know, Alan. Up there in the mountains the storms come up in a hurry sometimes. Better take your chains along.”

“Well, I can easily get some on the way, if I see it is starting to drift. Good-bye.