Then, having looked more closely:
"Why it's Doctor Chaleck! You're late in leaving us this evening, doctor. I suppose you've been kept pretty busy in ward 22?"
"That's so," replied Chaleck, for it was he. "That's why I'm in a hurry, Charles."
And Chaleck, with an impatient gesture, was about to slip out, but the porter stopped him again.
"One moment, doctor; you must register first."
"Is this a new hospital regulation?"
"No, doctor, it's the police who have ordered everyone entering or leaving the hospital to sign his name in this book."
The porter, having taken Doctor Chaleck into his lodge, opened a new register, and pointing to half a dozen names already written on the first page, he added:
"You'll not be in bad company; you're to sign just below Professor Hugard."
Chaleck smiled. "Tell me the latest news, Charles. Do they suspect anyone?"