Still there was no sound, though the Professor waited a full minute before speaking again.
"Will you, please, turn up the light, Mr. Harker?"
"Certainly." Paul Harker's cheerful voice came from the other side of the room, as he rose to comply with the request. For a moment or two he fumbled with the switch; then the room was once more flooded with light.
"A most satisfactory manifestation," began the Professor, only to stop with a look of dawning horror on his face. Scattered around Mrs. Harker's chair were scores of wonderful pearls. Sprawling over the arm of the chair was the unfortunate woman herself.
For a moment there was a stunned silence in the room; then with a cry Paul Harker sprang forward.
"She's fainted. I'll get brandy."
He dashed from the room, as two of the women, reassured by the words, went over to Mrs. Harker.
"I knew it was risky wearing those pearls," whispered Iris Sala in Billy's ear, but he hardly heard what she said. He was staring at the limp form of Iris hostess through narrowed lids, and suddenly he turned to the girl beside him.
"It's a doctor that's wanted, not brandy," he said, abruptly. "Where's the telephone?"
"In the hall," answered the girl.