IV


How much of Sperry's proceeding with the carpet the governess had
seen I do not know. I glanced up and she was there, on the staircase
to the third floor, watching us. I did not know, then, whether she
recognized me or not, for the Wellses' servants were as oblivious of
the families on the street as their employers. But she knew Sperry,
and was ready enough to talk to him.

"How is she now?" she asked.

"She is sleeping, Mademoiselle."

"The children also."

She came down the stairs, a lean young Frenchwoman in a dark dressing
gown, and Sperry suggested that she too should have an opiate. She
seized at the idea, but Sperry did not go down at once for his
professional bag.

"You were not here when it occurred, Mademoiselle?" he inquired.

"No, doctor. I had been out for a walk." She clasped her hands.
"When I came back--"

"Was he still on the floor of the dressing-room when you came in?"