“She had better be carried out,” he whispered.
It was all done in a moment. There was nothing but Mrs. Foston Rowe’s empty place at the table and the cup of bouillon, to remind them of what had happened.
“Was it a faint?” Lenora asked.
“We shall know directly,” the Captain replied. “Better keep our places, I think. Steward, serve the dinner as usual.”
The man held out his hand to withdraw the cup of bouillon, but Quest drew it towards him.
“Let it wait for a moment,” he ordered.
He glanced at the Captain, who nodded back. In a few moments the Doctor reappeared. He leaned down and whispered to the Captain.
“Dead!”
The Captain gave no sign.
“Better call it heart failure,” the Doctor continued. “I’ll let the people know quietly. I don’t in the least understand the symptoms, though.”