“No, don’t do that. I’ll come round at once and see him; the doctor may not be wanted. Be ready to let me in as soon as I arrive.”
The card-players still grouped about the little tables were busy with their games. In a small room beyond the drawing-room could be heard the rattle of the little marble as it spun merrily round in the well of the roulette, and a voice murmuring at intervals: “Faites vos jeux,” and “Rien n’ va plus.”
Jessica came forward as she saw him approaching.
“Come into the hall,” he said in a low tone, “and I will tell you.”
In a few words he explained to her what had happened.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he ended. “I will go there now, and will ring you up and report progress.”
Taxis were waiting in Cavendish Square, and within five minutes he alighted at the Albany.
La Planta’s face was very pale. He lay with lips slightly parted, breathing heavily. His eyelids were but half closed, and though Stapleton drew one of them up, the sleeper did not awake.
“Obviously doped,” he said to James, who stood by with a frightened look.
He bent over his friend until their faces were very close.