The Countess flashed a glance at the girl—rather an odd glance.
"Indeed," she said coldly.
"A very fortunate coincidence that she happened to be there," said Superintendent Battle, smiling.
The Countess gave a little sigh and half closed her eyes again.
"It is absurd, but I still feel extremely faint," she murmured.
"Of course you do," cried Bill. "Let me help you up to your room. Bundle will come with you."
"It is very kind of Lady Eileen," said the Countess, "but I should prefer to be alone. I am really quite all right. Perhaps you will just help me up the stairs?"
She rose to her feet, accepted Bill's arm and, leaning heavily on it, went out of the room. Bundle followed as far as the hall but, the Countess reiterating her assurance—with some tartness—that she was quite all right, she did not accompany them upstairs.
But as she stood watching the Countess's graceful form, supported by Bill, slowly mounting the stairway, she stiffened suddenly to acute attention. The Countess's négligé, as previously mentioned, was thin—a mere veil of orange chiffon. Through it Bundle saw distinctly below the right shoulder blade a small black mole.
With a gasp, Bundle swung impetuously round to where Superintendent Battle was just emerging from the library. Jimmy and Loraine had preceded him.