"You will do what I say?" asked Hermione.
The woman nodded.
"Go then, and do not wait for an answer; there will be none to-night."
Her gesture of dismissal was imperative and Doris turned to go.
But Hermione had one word more to say. "When you come back," she added, "come to my door and tap on it three times. By that I shall know you have delivered the letter; but you need not come in."
"Very well, Miss," answered the woman, speaking for the first time. And as Hermione turned her back, she gave her young mistress one burning, inquisitive look and then slid out of the room with her eyes on the packet which she almost seemed to devour with her eyes.
As she passed the laboratory door she detected the thin weasel-like face of Huckins looking out.
"What is that?" he whispered, pointing eagerly at the packet.
"Be in the highway at Dobbins' corner, and I'll tell you," she slyly returned, going softly on her way.
And he, with a chuckle which ought to have sounded through that house like a premonition of evil, closed the laboratory door with a careful hand, and descending the twisted staircase which led to the hall below, prepared to follow out her injunction in his own smooth and sneaking way.