"Bring forth your dead," said I.
He laughed heartily.
"Have you come for them?"
"We have. Complete with plague-cart. Allow me introduce my cousin. Dr. Fletcher—Miss Madrigal Stukely. How are the deceased?"
"Flourishing," replied the leech. "I took eleven out of your sister."
"And fourteen out of Berry—that's twenty-five. I say, there's no chance of their getting bee hydrophobia, is there? And stinging us, or anything?"
At this moment Daphne appeared, smelling like a consulting room.
"Why, Madrigal darling, so Boy brought you to fetch us back; did he? I'm so awfully sorry Berry and I weren't there for dinner. I hope Boy entertained you properly."
I gasped. Then:
"Madrigal, were you—?"