“Mrs. Van Ness,” repeated Burnham thoughtfully. “Oh, didn’t Captain La Montagne mention last night that he was looking for Marian Van Ness’ apartment, Palmer?”
“Yes.” Palmer looked over at Burnham and their glances met. “The captain was with Mrs. Van Ness and Evelyn when I called there.”
Mrs. Burnham missed a stitch and when she again looked up from her knitting she found her husband gazing out of the window and Palmer just lighting a cigarette.
“With your permission,” he said, holding it up.
“Certainly; I don’t object to tobacco smoke.” She was about to resume her knitting when her glance strayed through the open door by which she sat and she recognized Dr. Hayden coming down the hall. “Excuse me,” she exclaimed, “I’ll be back in a moment,” and she slipped out of the room before her husband looked around.
Hurrying down the hall Mrs. Burnham encountered Hayden near her bedroom and with a bare word of greeting opened the door and led him inside the room.
“You have two rebellious patients, Doctor; my husband and Mrs. Ward,” she began.
“Mrs. Ward shouldn’t give you any concern,” replied Hayden. “She has recovered; but your husband had a touch of fever last night which may make him a bit, eh, fractious,” hesitating for a word as he saw how worried she was.
“Oh, I am not anxious about Peter, I can manage him,” she said confidently. “It’s Mrs. Ward; why is she malingering?”
Hayden looked at her in surprise. “Is she?”