Rosa said. “No one could be more skilful.”

“Pardon me,” I protested, “Professor Churt is a physician of great authority, but he is not a surgeon, and here he would be useless.”

She bowed — humbly, as I thought.

With such materials as came to hand I bound Alresca’s legs together, making as usual the sound leg fulfil the function of a splint to the other one, and he was placed on a stretcher. It was my first case, and it is impossible for me to describe my shyness and awkwardness as the men who were to carry the stretcher to the dressing-room looked silently to me for instructions.

“Now,” I said, “take short steps, keep your knees bent, but don’t on any account keep step. As gently as you can —