“That is the one,” Blenkiron replied, indicating it, “next to the box with the woman with scarlet plumes.”
“There are people in it now,” Johnson observed. “Do you know who they are? Why, one of them is that snake woman everybody has been talking about.”
“We are under the impression, though we don’t know for certain,” Preston replied guardedly, “that the snake woman is Mrs. Mervyn-Robertson herself, and that the man talking to her is called Stapleton.”
“Do you mean Aloysius Stapleton, the organizer of this ball?”
“Yes.”
“Well, if Schomberg was one of their party they apparently have not heard what has happened, and somebody ought to tell them.”
“Hadn’t you better tell them, Doctor Johnson?”
“I suppose I must. And as you and your friend rendered ‘first aid’ you had better come with me to confirm my statements.”
Jessica and the woman and the three men with them still wore their masks, though some of the dancers had now discarded theirs. When Doctor Johnson and his companions were admitted to the box, Jessica and her friends were in the highest spirits. Jessica herself was laughing loudly, while two of the men had become uproarious. The doctor had sent in his card and asked if he might speak to Mrs. Mervyn-Robertson alone, but she had sent out word that he had better come into the box.
“Mrs. Mervyn-Robertson, I believe?” he said, addressing her.