Inside, the scrubbed stone floors and bare walls gave Judy the impression that they had entered a fortress instead of a hospital. A uniformed guard at the door directed them to a desk where Judy learned that Peter had been taken to a private room in the new wing. The operation was over, but he was still under sedation, the nurse said. She added brightly, “You can see him in about an hour.”
It would have been a long hour if another nurse, on night duty, hadn’t suddenly recognized Irene. Irene had come in with Judy, leaving Dale to mind little Judy, who was asleep in the car.
“You’re the Golden Girl, aren’t you?” the nurse asked, stopping Irene as they entered the luxurious waiting room in the new wing. “One of our patients has been asking for you—”
“Clarissa!” Judy and Irene exclaimed in the same breath.
The nurse looked a little puzzled.
“We have to wait here anyway. Could we see her?” asked Irene. “We were awfully worried. Was she badly hurt? We looked all over the theater. How and where did it happen?”
“It was a street accident,” replied the nurse in a brisk, professional manner. “She was in a cab. Her doctor can give you the details. I’m afraid you can’t visit her at this hour. It would disturb the other patients. Except in extreme emergencies, visitors are never allowed before daylight.”
CHAPTER XIV
Serious Trouble
Judy wanted to tell the nurse that this was an extreme emergency. But was it? A girl had vanished. Still the fact remained that she might have slipped out of the theater on purpose.