The man invited her in.
“What name?” he asked.
“Say that Miss Evershed has called. Say also that my business is of an urgent nature.”
The man showed Barbara into the dining-room and withdrew. A moment later Tarbot entered the room. He came forward eagerly, his thin lips twitching, his eyes full of subdued light.
“To what am I indebted for this pleasure?” he began.
Barbara interrupted him.
“I want to ask you a great favor, Dr. Tarbot.”
“What is it?”
“I wish to sit up with little Piers to-night.”
On hearing these words the expression on Tarbot’s face altered.