In a few words Dr. Bauerstein explained how he had happened to be passing the lodge gates as the car came out, and had run up to the house as fast as he could, whilst the car went on to fetch Dr. Wilkins. With a faint gesture of the hand, he indicated the figure on the bed.

“Ve-ry sad. Ve-ry sad,” murmured Dr. Wilkins. “Poor dear lady. Always did far too much⁠—far too much⁠—against my advice. I warned her. Her heart was far from strong. ‘Take it easy,’ I said to her, ‘Take⁠—it⁠—easy.’ But no⁠—her zeal for good works was too great. Nature rebelled. Na-ture re-belled.”

Dr. Bauerstein, I noticed, was watching the local doctor narrowly. He still kept his eyes fixed on him as he spoke.