"And now," said Dunbar, speaking very slowly, "where did you pick up
your fare?"

"In Gillingham Street, near Victoria Station."

"From a house?"

"Yes, from Nurse Proctor's."

"Nurse Proctor's! Who is Nurse Proctor?"

Brian shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant manner, which obviously
belonged to an earlier phase of existence.

"She keeps a nursing home," he said--"for ladies."

"Do you mean a maternity home?"

"Not exactly; at least I don't think so. Most of her clients are society
ladies, who stay there periodically."

"What are you driving at?" demanded Dunbar. "I have asked you if it is a
maternity home."

"And I have replied that it isn't. I am only giving you facts; you don't
want my surmises."

"Who hailed you?"