"Come in!" she said.
"It's the doctor!" whispered Gracie to Piers.

"Bother him!" Piers laughed with his lower lip between his teeth, and Lennox Tudor opened the door and paused upon the threshold.
Avery rose to receive him, but his look passed her almost instantly and rested frowningly upon Piers.
"Enter the Lord High Executioner!" said Piers flippantly.

"Well?
Who is the latest victim?
And what have you come here for ?" The doctor came in.

He shook hands with Avery, and turned at once to Piers.
"I have come to see my patient," he said aggressively.
"Have you ?" said Piers.

"So have I." He stood up, squaring his broad shoulders.