"I'm glad your perceptions are so acute," replied Burns
gravely.

"Are the three minutes up?" asked the caller.

He looked at his watch. "I think not quite. Is there
anything of importance to fill the one remaining?"

"Nothing whatever - except to mention your fee." The guest
receded gracefully from the door.

"If the patient will follow directions I'll ask no fee. If he
doesn't I'll exact one when I see him again. Forgive my
haste, Miss - Halstead?"

"Hempstead," corrected the caller crisply. "Don't mention it,
Doctor - Brown. Good night."

The Chesters' guest lingered on the porch before going in to
report the failure of her mission. She was still lingering
there when the Green Imp, carrying no open-shirted mechanic,
but a properly clothed professional gentleman and a severely
dressed professional lady, whirled away down the drive.

"He really was going somewhere in a hurry, then," admitted the
guest. "In which case I can't be quite so offended. I wonder
if that nurse enjoys her trips with him - when his mouth
doesn't happen to be shut like a steel trap."

If she could have seen the pair on the train which presently