the nurse had put her finger to her forehead to signify that her
charge was insane.

Mavis was about to avoid the gathering by crossing the road, when
she caught a glimpse of the girl's face, to recognise it as
belonging to Miss Meakin. Wondering what it could mean, she hastened
to her old acquaintance, who, despite her protests, was being urged
towards the cab.

"It's all a mistake. Let me go! Oh! won't anyone help?" Miss Meakin
had cried as Mavis reached her side.

"What is it? What has happened?" asked Mavis.

"It's you: it's you! Thank Heaven!" cried Miss Meakin.

"What has happened? I insist on knowing," Mavis had asked, as she
glanced defiantly at the forbidding-looking nurse.

"It's not a nurse. It's a man. I know he is. He's followed me, and
now he's trying to get me away," sobbed the girl.

Mavis turned to the nurse, who put her finger to her forehead, as if
to insist that Miss Meakin's mind was unhinged.

Mavis had appealed to the policeman, to declare there must be some
mistake, as she knew Miss Meakin to be of sound mind; but this man
had replied that it was not his place to interfere. Mavis, feeling
anxious for her friend, was debating in her mind whether she should
get into the cab with the girl and the nurse, when a keen-faced-