A light was travelling up the staircase, casting great shadows before
it, and when the boy came to the door of the Padré Sahib's room, he saw
his master saying good-bye to a tall, dark lady who smiled at him and
gave him her hand.

"Good night, Mr. Heath, I hardly know how to thank you sufficiently."

She hurried down the staircase, and as she walked out, she met Atkins
coming in on his bicycle. He jumped off as he saw her, and spoke in
surprise.

"I have just been calling on the Padré," replied Mrs. Wilder pleasantly,
as he commented with ever-ready tactlessness upon her presence in the
Compound. "One of my servants is ill; a member of his community. By the
way, do you think that Mr. Heath is quite well himself?"

"Indeed I do not think so. He overworks. I have a great admiration for
Heath."

"He must be rather depressing in the rains," she said, with a careless
laugh. "He positively gave me the shivers. I can hardly envy you boxed
up there with him. I believe he sees ghosts, and I think they must be
horrid ghosts or he couldn't look as he does."

Her car was waiting down the road, and Atkins walked beside her and saw
her get in. Mrs. Wilder was very charming to him; she leaned out and
smiled at him again.

"Do take care of the Padré," she called as she drove off.