“One game!” Barrant glanced at his watch with an air of mistrust. “You mean two, don’t you?”
Her eyes returned to his. She shook her head with a rapid tremulous motion. “No!” she exclaimed excitedly. “One, only one!”
Barrant cast another glance at his watch, which he Still held in his hand. “You are quite sure you did not play two?” he persisted, with a puzzled glance.
“No, no—one!” She sprang to her feet excitedly.
“Very well—one,” acquiesced Barrant soothingly. “One. Go on.”
But his effort to calm her came too late. She cast a wild and fearful glance at the wall behind her, as if there was something there which frightened her.
“How it rings—how it rings!” Her indistinct utterance grew louder. “Yes, Jasper, I hear. Yes, sir, I’m coming. Where’s the supper tray?”
“Don’t be afraid, Mrs. Thalassa,” said Barrant, approaching her, but she backed hurriedly away towards the door.
“Coming with the supper tray—coming with the supper tray…. What’s that? Ah-h-h-h-h!”
Her disjointed mutterings ended in a shrill scream which went ringing through the stillness and seemed to linger in the room after she had disappeared. Barrant heard her muttering and laughing as she descended the stairs.