"Oh no," he said quietly. "No, thank you! I don't think we will trouble you any further. It has been a great satisfaction to have obtained your—your opinion."
Molyneaux waved his hand magnanimously.
"Do not mention it!" he murmured. "My regret is deep that I have been of so little avail. Good-bye again, Mr. Milbanke! It has been an honour as well as a pleasure to meet you."
He smiled blandly, and added the last remark as Gallagher solicitously helped him into his furlined travelling coat. Then, still suavely genial, he passed out of the dining-room towards the hall door.
Gallagher hurried after him, but, in passing Milbanke, he paused.
"I'll be back in an hour, Mr. Milbanke," he said. "I'm just going as far as Carrigmore with Doctor Molyneaux to get an additional supply of morphia."
Milbanke nodded silently, and in his turn stepped into the hall.
When the two men had entered the waiting vehicle, when Molyneaux had waved a courtly farewell and the coachman had gathered up the reins, he turned and slowly began to mount the stairs.
Instantly his foot touched the landing, Mrs. Asshlin darted from the shadowy corridor.
"What news?" she asked agitatedly. "Oh, Mr. Milbanke, what news? The suspense has been dreadful."