CHAPTER XLIX.
A WELCOME PRESCRIPTION.
Savage Mamma Francoise was not an unskillful nurse, and Leslie was soonrestored to consciousness. But not to strength; the little that she hadgained was spent by that long interview, with all its attendantconflicting emotions, and Leslie lay, strengthless once more, at themercy of her enemies.
After much thinking, Mamma had decided that Franz had offered soundadvice, and having exhausted her own resources, she set out to consultDoctor Bayless.
Her visit was in every way satisfactory. Doctor Bayless manifested noundue curiosity; seemed to comprehend the case as Mamma put it; preparedthe necessary remedies, and spoke encouragingly of the patient.
"These relapses occur often after fevers," he said; "the result of toomuch ambition. You understand about the drops, yes? These powders youwill administer properly; not too often, remember. Careful nursing willdo the rest. Ah, good-day."
* * * * *
"Ye needn't be afraid to take yer medicine," said Mamma to her patient,coming to the bedside with a dose of the aforesaid "drops." "'Tain't nopart of my plans to let ye die. I intend to nurse ye through, but I tellye plain that when ye're better ye'll have to settle this business withFranzy. When ye're on yer feet agin, I'm goin' to wash my hands of ye.But ye may not find Franz so easily got rid of, mind that."
Realizing her helplessness, Leslie swallowed the drops and then layback, pale and panting, upon her pillow. As the moments passed, shecould feel the liquid coursing its way through her veins; her nervesceased to quiver, a strange calm crept over her, her pulses throbbedquite steadily. She was very weak, but found herself able to thinkclearly.
Half an hour later, Doctor Bayless appeared upon the Francoisethreshold, a small vial in his hand, a look of anxiety upon hiscountenance.
He pushed his way into the room, in spite of the less than half openeddoor, and Mamma's lukewarm welcome. He seemed to notice neither. Stillless did he concern himself with Papa and Franz, partaking of luncheonin the opposite corner of the room.
He addressed Mamma almost breathlessly.
Had the drops been administered?
Mamma replied in the affirmative.
Then he must see the patient at once. There had been a dangerousmistake. By some inadvertence he had exchanged two similar vials; he hadgiven Mamma the wrong medicine. The result _might_ prove fatal.
It was no time for parley or hesitation. Mamma promptly led the way tothe inner room.
As Leslie greeted her visitor with a look of inquiry, Doctor Bayless,standing by the bedside, with his back to Mamma, put a warningforefinger upon his lips, his eyes meeting Leslie's with a glance fullof meaning.
"Keep perfectly quiet, young woman," he said in his best professionaltone. And as Mamma presented a chair, he seated himself close beside thebed and bent over his patient, seemingly intent upon her symptoms.
Presently he turned toward Mamma.
"I must have warm water; prepare it at once." Then rising, he followedMamma to the door, saying in a low tone: "Your patient must have perfectquiet; let there be no loud noise about the house. Now the water, if youplease, and make haste."
He turned and went back to the bedside, seated himself as before, andtaking one of the patient's hands, seemed intently marking everypulse-beat. A look of deep concern rested upon his face; and Mammaclosed the door softly and went about her task.
"Old un," began Franz, "ye're gittin' careless--"
"Sh!" whispered Mamma; "no noise."
But Franz, with a crafty leer, left his place at the table and tiptoedto the door, where he crouched, applying alternately his eye and his earto the keyhole, while Mamma busied herself at the fire.
But Franz caught no word from the inner room, for Doctor Bayless neveronce opened his lips. The watcher could see his large form bending overthe bed, with one hand slightly upraised as if holding a watch, theother resting upon the wrist of the patient.
But Leslie saw more than this. Locked in that strange calm, she saw thedoctor's hand go to his side, and take from a pocket a card which quitefilled his palm.
Holding this card so that Leslie could easily scan its contents, he satmutely watching her face.
The card contained these words, closely written in a fine, firm hand:
Seem to submit to their plans. We can conquer in no other way. At the right time I shall be at hand, and no harm shall befall you. Let them play their game to the very last; it shall not go too far. Feign a continual stupor; they will believe it the result of drugs. Trust all to me, and believe your troubles almost over.
STANHOPE.
Three times did Leslie's eyes peruse these words, and in spite of thatpowerful soothing draught, her composure almost forsook her. But shecontrolled herself bravely, and only by a long look of hopefulintelligence, and a very slight gesture, did she respond to this writtenmessage so sorely needed, so welcome, so fraught with hope.
When Mamma returned with the water, Leslie lay quiet among the pillows,her eyes half closed, and no trace of emotion in her face. But her heartwas beating with a new impulse. That message had brought with it acomforting sense of protection, and of help near at hand.
The last instructions of Doctor Bayless, too, fell upon her ear withhopeful meaning, although they were spoken, apparently, for Mamma's solebenefit.
"She is a trifle dull," he said, turning from the bed and confrontingMamma. "It's the result of that mistaken dose, in part. In part, it'sthe natural outcome of her fever. It's better for her; she will gainstrength faster so. These powders"--depositing a packet of paper foldsin Mamma's hand,--"are to strengthen and to soothe. She must take themregularly. She will be a little dull under their influence, very docileand easy to manage, but she will gain strength quite rapidly. In a week,if she is not unnerved or excited, she should be able to be up, to beout."
Once more he turned toward Leslie, and took her hand in his.
What Mamma saw, was a careful physician going through with a lastprofessional formula. What Leslie felt, was a warm, reassuringhand-clasp, friendly rather than professional.
When he had gone, Leslie lay quiet, repeating over and over in her mindthe words of Stanhope's note, and feeling throughout her entire being astrong, new desire to live.
Dangerous Ground; or, The Rival Detectives Page 50
