Kennedy, in his stained laboratory apron, was at work before his table, while I was watching him with intense interest, when the telephone rang.
Without a word he answered the call and I could see a look of perturbation cross his face. I knew it was from Elaine, but could tell nothing about the nature of the message.
An instant later he almost tore off the apron and threw on his hat and coat. I followed him as he dashed out of the laboratory.
"This is terrible—terrible," he muttered, as we hurried across the campus of the University to a taxi-cab stand.
A few minutes later, when we arrived at the Dodge mansion, we found Aunt Josephine and Marie doing all they could under the circumstances. Aunt Josephine had just given her a glass of water which she drank eagerly. Rusty had, meanwhile, crawled under the bed, caring only to be alone and undisturbed.
Dr. Hayward had arrived and had just finished taking her pulse and temperature as our cab pulled up.
Jennings who had evidently been expecting us let us in without a word and conducted us up to Elaine's room. We knocked.
"Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Jameson," we could hear Marie whisper in a subdued voice.
"Tell them to come in," answered Elaine eagerly.
We entered. There she lay, beautiful as ever, but with a whiteness of her fresh cheek that was too etherially unnatural. Elaine was quite ill indeed.