was slightly commonplace. In ordinary street garb not an eye would
have been turned upon her, but the nun's blue and white of her uniform
added the required spiritual effect to her rather full-blown beauty.

As she passed the painted lady at the head of the stairway she gave her
a slight glance. Then on and up she went to her appointed task.

"It is pneumonia," Dr. McKenzie told Derry; "that's why I wanted Miss
Merritt. She is very experienced, and in these days of war it is hard
to get good nurses."

Derry found his voice shaking. "Is there any danger?"

"Naturally, at his age. But I think we are going to pull him through."

Derry went into the shadowed room. His father was breathing heavily.
Something clutched at the boy's heart--the fear of the Thing which
lurked in the darkness--a chill and sinister figure with a skeleton
hand.

He could not have his father die. He would feel as if his thoughts had
killed him--a murderer in intention if not in deed. Not thus must the
Obstacle be removed. He raised haggard eyes to the Doctor's face.
"You--you mustn't think that I store things up against him. He's all I
have."

The Doctor's keen glance appraised him. "Don't get morbid over it; he
has everything in his favor--and Miss Merritt is famous in such cases."

Hilda took his praise with downcast eyes. Her manner with the Doctor