— 25 —When Dr. Virtue arrived, two hours later, he found his patient unconscious on the bed that occupied one wall of the dressing room, while Mrs. Sacret was rubbing his chest with mustard and water. Susan, fully dressed, disheveled and dazed, was sitting uselessly on a chair by the curtained window. The housemaids were coming to and fro with cans and basins; the room smelled pungently of eau de cologne and lavender water.
“Oh, doctor!” moaned Susan. “What is the matter? He looks like death! When I came in he was insensible on the floor.”
“Hush,” put in Mrs. Sacret. “Of course it is most distressing, but it is only one of his usual nervous seizures.” Briskly she told the doctor now examining Martin Rue of the sudden collapse and her own attempts to assist the sick man. Strong smelling s
