The shock of the news acted on the woman in a most extraordinary way. With a convulsive movement she suddenly gathered herself together and sat bolt upright on the couch. She would have fallen back again had not Westerham caught her in his arms.
“The papers!” she gasped.
“Yes?” said Westerham, kindly and soothingly. “Where are they?”
With a faint movement she pointed towards Westerham's feet. “There!” she gasped.
To Westerham it seemed as if she were already beginning to wander in her mind, but he said still kindly and soothingly, “Yes, yes, I know! But where?”
The woman opened her mouth and made two or three efforts before she spoke again, and then she only breathed the word “Boots!”
Westerham's gaze wandered over the sideboard.
“See if you can find any brandy,” he said to Mendip.
Mendip could find no brandy, but brought some almost neat whisky over in a glass.