"No, Master."
"What then?"
By the faint greenish light the Master missed to observe that Mr. Simeon's face was deadly pale.
"Master, I have come to make confession—to throw myself on your mercy! For a long time—for a year almost—I have been living dishonestly.… Master, do you believe in miracles?"
For a moment there was no answer. Master Blanchminster walked back to an electric button beside the door, and turned on more light with a finger that trembled slightly.
"If you have been living dishonestly, Simeon, I certainly shall believe in miracles."
"But I mean real miracles, Master."
"You are agitated, Simeon. Take a seat and tell me your trouble in your own way—beginning, if you please, with the miracle."
"It was that which brought me. Until it happened I could not find courage—"
Mr. Simeon's eyes wandered to this side and that, as though they still sought a last chance of escape.