"He only wants to come in for a minute--do see him."
Dr. Panton spoke persuasively, but he told himself that Varick was right--Bubbles _had_ got that extraordinary, horrible notion into her head. "He's very much upset," he went on, "he thinks that unconsciously he may have given you some kind of push over the edge of the embankment."
He saw her face change. It crimsoned darkly.
"Yes, he has; and he's awfully upset about it, Miss Bubbles."
"I suppose I had better see him. I shall have to see him some time."
She said the words between her teeth, and, making an effort, she sat up in bed.
Dr. Panton went to the door, and opened it.
"Come in," he called out; "but don't stay long, Varick. Miss Bubbles is very tired to-night."
Varick came in slowly and advanced with curiously hesitating, nervous steps, towards the bed. "Well, Bubbles," he exclaimed, "I'm glad you're no worse for your ducking!"
She looked at him fixedly, but said nothing. Dr. Panton began to feel desperately uncomfortable.
"I hope you'll be quite all right to-morrow," went on Varick.
Bubbles seemed to be looking beyond her visitor--not at him. She seemed to be gazing at something at the other end of the room.
"You've brought someone in with you," she said suddenly. There was a curious tone--almost a tone of exultation--in her voice. "Who is it?" she asked imperiously. "Tell me who it is--Lionel."
He wheeled round with a startled look. "There's no one here," he answered, "but Dr. Panton and myself."
"Oh yes, there is." Bubbles spoke very positively. "There's a woman here. I can see her quite distinctly in the firelight. She's got a fat, angry face, and untidy grey hair. Hullo, she's gone now!"
Bubbles fell back on to her pillow and closed her eyes. It was as if she was dismissing them.
Varick turned uneasily to the doctor. "Is she delirious?" he whispered.
The doctor shook his head. He also was startled--startled more than surprised. For in just Bubbles' words would he have described the odious woman who had come to see him last spring, and whose voice he had heard within the last few minutes.
He now had no doubt that Miss Pigchalke had been in the corridor, or, more likely, in some room opening out of it, and that she had followed Varick into this darkened room and then, noiselessly, slipped out again.