Free Nurse in White by Lucy Agnes Hancock Page A

inches tall, has shoulder-length golden blond hair, large eyes of a particularly deep shade of violet, perfect teeth; is small boned with slender hands and feet.
    The Daily Herald will appreciate information that might lead to the discovery of any relative or friend of the unfortunate young lady.
    Address all communications to:
    Editor, The Daily Herald Brentwood, New York.
    “Did you do this, doctor?” Ellen asked and at his nod of assent, “Does Dr. MacGowan know, and Miss Forsyth?”
    “Sure, they know, and was I surprised to find that Mac had sent this same description to London on the strength of our hunch she was English! Something is bound to break soon. A girl like her just can’t drop out without leaving a ripple.”
    “I’m not so sure of that,” Ellen demurred. “People are always disappearing and never being heard from. And did you stop to think, Dr. Dent, what this publicity might do? That it might endanger her life again?”
    “How, for Pete’s sake?”
    “Well, those beasts who threw her from that car probably thought she was dead or dying and when they discover she isn’t—didn’t—”
    “They wouldn’t dare!” Dent cried, but Ellen saw that he was impressed. “I’ll take that point up with Mac, and we’ll be on our guard.” He shrugged. “Whoever heard of a holdup in Brentwood? This burg is only half-alive.”
    “Just the same, I’m glad she’s in a ward. Fifteen or twenty fellow patients and a couple of husky nurses ought to provide ample protection.”
    Cyrus Dent grinned at Ann Murdock, who was, presumably, studying nearby; at least, she had a textbook in her hand.
    “We’re just a couple of old grannies, Gaylord. We act as if Lady X was our problem child.”
    Ann’s lip curled. “It’s fortunate for the girl that she has looks,” she said cynically. “Problem cases aren’t popular as a rule.”
    Ellen’s eyes were clouded as she shook her head. “Lady X was never a problem child. I’ll wager she was always sweet and lovely. Oh, I wish she could remember something—anything! It’s all so terribly hopeless—like—like fighting an invisible enemy.”
    “Calm yourself, darling!” murmured Ann.
    Dr. Dent said, “Give her time, Gaylord. Mac says she’s distinctly on the mend. She’ll snap out of it, perhaps suddenly. Maybe something will happen to pierce that black veil. We’ve just got to keep on waiting.” Actually, he had a hunch it wouldn’t be long now.
    Ann made a sound that brought a glare of antagonism from him. He turned sharply and strode down the hall toward the staircase as the soft whir of the ascending elevator announced the probable arrival of the midnight sandwiches and coffee.
    But it was not food that arrived and it was well that Dent had disappeared around the corner, for the tall, angular figure of the chief of staff left the elevator and approached the alcove. Ann slipped through the nearest door. Ellen caught her breath. Dent certainly was lucky. Perhaps they were all lucky.
    Dr. MacGowan was in hospital white—no doubt for some emergency operation. Ellen stood to receive him, but he motioned her to sit and seated himself on the table where he toyed with the charts upon which Ellen had been working.
    “About the girl in there, Gaylord,” he began without preamble. “She’s quite apt to recover her memory anytime now.” He paused and studied her for a moment. “She seems to cling to you and I wish you would spend as much time with her as is possible. Miss Forsyth is assigning Holmes to your job temporarily and we are moving, er—” his mouth twitched slightly “—Lady X to a private room tomorrow morning.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry, Dr. MacGowan,” Ellen said impulsively, her anxiety overcoming her awe of the great man and making her forget for the moment that a nurse, especially a student nurse, obeys the doctor unquestioningly no matter what the circumstances. “Somehow, I feel she is safer here—in a ward.”
    “Safer?” the