‘Dr. Thornhill, I shall with pleasure answer you any question you may choose to ask me if you will answer me one question first.’
The doctor seemed surprised, but he smiled and answered at once, ‘Done! What is it?’
‘Did Mrs. Witham ask you to come here and see me and advise me?’
Dr. Thornhill for a moment was taken aback, and Mrs. Witham got fiery red and turned away; but the doctor was a frank and ready man, and he answered at once and openly.
‘She did: but she didn’t intend you to know it. I suppose it was my clumsy haste that made you suspect. She told me that she did not like the idea of your being in that house all by yourself, and that she thought you took too much strong tea. In fact, she wants me to advise you if possible to give up the tea and the very late hours. I was a keen
