"Yes; you thought that he was dead, perhaps? Oh, no. But for all that, Miss Deronnais, it is just as serious as it can be."
She did not know what to think. Was the man a madman himself?
"Listen, please. I am telling you simply the facts. I was anxious, and I went round this morning first to Lady Laura Bethell. To my astonishment she saw me. I will not tell you all that she said, just now. She was in a terrible state, though she did not know one-tenth of the harm—Well, after what she told me I went round straight to Mitre Court. The porter was inclined not to let me in. Well, I went in, and straight into Mr. Baxter's bedroom; and I found there—"
He stopped.
"Yes?"
"I found exactly what I had feared, and expected."
"Oh! tell me quickly," she cried, wheeling on him in anger.
He looked at her as if critically for a moment. Then he went on abruptly.
"I found Mr. Baxter in bed. I made no apology at all. I said simply that I had come to see how he was after the séance."
"It took place, then—"