He straightened almost at once.

"Who was that lazy-looking type you were with last night?

' he wanted to know.

She hadn't expected him to ask, not now when they were so busy.

She said shortly: "Someone who very kindly saw me back--you owe him for

the bill--he paid it.

' He stared at her with angry eyes.

"If you imagine I'm going to pay for your dinner, you're mistaken--and

you found someone easily enough to pick you up, didn't you?

' "Hardly that," said Mr van Diederijk.

He had come quietly through the curtains and was standing just behind

them both.

"T don't make a habit of picking up young women, nor, for that matter, do I leave them to pay for their own dinner.

' His voice was quiet, but--there was a sharp edge to it so that

Alethea judged it prudent not to say anything at all and Nick, trying to bl.u.s.ter his way out of an awkward situation, said too quickly: "This is hardly the time or the place.

' "Too true, I'm glad you realise that," agreed Mr van Diederijk equably.

"Who are you?

' began Nick, and stopped as Sir Walter slid his bulk round the

curtains in his turn.

"My dear chap," he boomed cheerfully, 'nice of you to come along.

This leg if you can call it that at the moment it seems to me that you're just the man to consult.

A cla.s.sic example of the kind of thing you excel in, I believe wiring,

I should imagine, and then intensive osteopathy to the femur to prevent

muscle contraction am I right?

' The question was rhetorical; Sir Walter was very well aware that he was right.

Alethea said nothing.

Nick muttered some answer or other and Mr van Diederijk agreed placidly.

"Yes, well, in that case, since we are agreed and you happen to be here

I'd be delighted to have the benefit of your skill.

A pity that you and that brother of yours don't have a clinic over here, but I daresay you get all the work you can cope with.

' "Indeed, we do.

I shall be delighted to give any a.s.sistance I can.

' "Good, good.

Sister, we'll have him in theatre in half an hour, please.

Have you written him up, Penrose?

Yes?

Very well, check on that boy I've just done in theatre, will you and I

shall want you for this case.

Sister, is there anything worrying you or can you cope?

' "Mr Cord's plaster has had to come off it's being replastered now I got Mr Tim ms to see to it.

Mr Briggs is.

I've sent for his wife.

The boy you operated upon during the night is satisfactory there's nothing else, sir.

' "Good girl.

Lean heavily on Tim ms if you need help and if that's not enough, give the theatre a ring.

' "Yes, sir.

Would you like coffee?

' "Yes.

Mr van Diederijk will too, won't you, Sarre?

' The big man inclined his head gravely.

"We are not delaying Sister?

' The?

' she smiled at him, forgetting her rather pale unmade-up face and

screwed-up hair.

"No, not at all.

Mary, our ward maid, will have the tray ready, she's marvellous.

' She led the way down the ward and into her office, saw the two

gentlemen served and then excused herself.

The boy had to be got ready for theatre and over and above that, the routine work of the ward mustn't be halted. When she went back to her office presently for an ident.i.ty bracelet the two men had gone and presently the porters came and Alethea, sending her most senior student nurse with him, despatched the patient to theatre, before turning her attention to the work waiting for her.

She had the time now to wonder at the sudden and unexpected appearance of Doctor van Diederijk; had he taken up an appointment at Theobald's?

She frowned and shook her head as she adjusted the weights on Tommy Lister's pinned and plated leg, suspended from its Balkan Beam.

No; she would certainly have heard about that, and yet he knew Sir Walter.

Staying with him, perhaps?

Over in England for some seminar or other?

Now she considered the matter, he looked well-established, as it were, self-a.s.sured in a quiet way, and wearing the beautifully tailored garments which proclaimed taste and money, however discreetly.