Spinsters in Jeopardy by Ngaio Marsh

pupils, I understand. You have a discerning eye. Mr. Oberon will be delighted.”
    A gown was laid out on the bed. Baradi took it up. “Will you try this? There is an unoccupied room next door with access to a bathroom. You have time for a bath and will, no doubt, be glad to take one. Since morphine has been given there is no immediate urgency, but I should prefer all the same to operate as soon as possible. When you are ready, my own preparations will be complete and we can discuss final arrangements.”
    Alleyn said: “Dr. Baradi, we haven’t said anything about your fee for the operation: indeed, it is neither my business nor my wife’s, but I do feel some concern about it. I imagine Miss Truebody will at least be able…”
    Baradi held up his hand. “Let us not discuss it,” he said. “Let us assume that it is of no great moment.”
    “If you prefer to do so.” Alleyn hesitated and then added: “This is an extraordinary situation. You will, I’m sure, realize that we are reluctant to take such a grave responsibility. Miss Truebody is a complete stranger to us. You yourself must feel it would be much more satisfactory if there was a relation or friend from whom we could get some kind of authority. Especially as her illness is so serious.”
    “I agree. However, she would undoubtedly die if the operation was not performed and, in my opinion, would be in the gravest danger if it was unduly postponed. As it is, I’m afraid there is a risk, a great risk, that she will not recover. We can,” Baradi added, with what Alleyn felt was a genuine, if controlled, anxiety, “only do our best and hope that all may be well.”
    And on this note Alleyn turned to go. As he was in the doorway Baradi, with a complete change of manner, said: “Your enchanting wife is with her. Third door on the left. Quite enchanting. Delicious, if you will permit me.”
    Alleyn looked at him and found what he saw offensive.
    “Under these unfortunate circumstances,” he said politely, “I can’t do anything else.”
    Evidently Dr. Baradi chose to regard this observation as a pleasantry. He laughed richly. “Delicious!” he repeated, but whether in reference to Alleyn’s comment or as a reiterated observation upon Troy it was impossible to determine. Alleyn, who had every reason and no inclination for keeping his temper, walked into the next room.
     
    iii
    Troy had carried out her instructions and Miss Truebody had slipped again into sleep. The sound of her breathing cut the silence into irregular intervals. Her eyes were not quite closed. Segments of the eyeballs appeared under the pathetic insufficiency of her lashes. Troy was at once unwilling to leave her and anxious to return to Ricky. She heard Alleyn and Dr. Baradi in the passage. Their voices were broken off by a door slam and again there was only Miss Truebody’s breathing. Troy waited, hoping that Alleyn knew where she was and would come to her. After what seemed an interminable interval there was a tap at the door. She opened it and he was there in a white gown looking tall, elegant and angry. Troy shut the door behind her and they whispered together in the passage.
    “Rum go,” he said, “isn’t it?”
    “Not ’alf. When do you begin?”
    “Soon. He’s trying to make himself aseptic. A losing battle, I should think.”
    “Frightful, isn’t he?”
    “The bottom. I’m sorry, darling, you have to suffer his atrocious gallantries.”
    “Well, I daresay they’re just elaborate Oriental courtesy, or something.”
    “Elaborate bloody impertinence.”
    “Never mind, Rory. I’ll skip out of his way.”
    “I shouldn’t have brought you to this damn place.”
    “Fiddle! In any case he’s going to be too busy.”
    “Is she asleep?”
    “Sort of. I don’t like to leave her, but suppose Ricky should wake?”
    “Go up to him. I’ll stay with her. Baradi’s going to give her an injection before I get going with the ether. And, Troy—”
    “Yes?”
    “It’s