"No, no——"
"What was it you saw, Mrs. Bergen," asked Peter gently.
He was just at her side and at the sound of his voice she half arose, but recognizing Peter she sank back in her chair.
Peter repeated his question, but she shook her head.
"Won't you tell us? What was it you saw? A man——?"
Her eyes sought Beth's and a look of tenderness came into them, banishing the vision. But she lied when she answered Peter's question.
"I saw nothin', Mr. Nichols—I think I'll go up——"
She took another swallow of the water and rose. And with her strength came a greater obduracy.
"I saw nothin'——" she repeated again, as she saw that he was still looking at her. "Nothin' at all."
Peter and Beth exchanged glances and Beth, putting her hand under the housekeeper's arm, helped the woman to the back stairs.