“I’m sorry to knock you up,” he said, trying to reassure her, “but this lady is nearly dead; our boat upset.”

“Bring her in here, sir,” said the good little woman, her courage and self-possession returning under the emergency.  “She had better come up to the bedroom, poor lady.”

Adrien carried Eveline up the narrow staircase, followed by Lucy, who had hastily produced some spirits with which to restore consciousness.

“You had better fetch a doctor, sir,” she called after Adrien, as he came down again.

Leroy hesitated.  He knew that Lady Merivale valued her reputation more than her life.  To fetch a doctor might save the latter, but would most certainly ruin the former; for no medical man would permit her to return to London that night, and, in that case, discovery would be inevitable.

Troubled and worn with anxiety, he paced to and fro in the room behind the shop, regardless of his own dripping clothes, while Jasper, behind the little window curtain, watched him sardonically, his lips wreathed in a smile.  He was well content with this finish of his day’s holiday—­if such it might be called; for he knew that he held Lady Merivale in the hollow of his hand.  She, who had sneered at his position, while yet making every use of his services, would in the future be but another of his puppets; and he foresaw a goodly profit from the outlay of this day’s time and money.

Presently Lucy ran down.

“Where’s the doctor, sir?” she asked.  “Oh, didn’t you go after all?  Well, it doesn’t matter, for the lady is alive and better.”

“Thank Heaven!” ejaculated Leroy fervently.

“She says she doesn’t need one.”

“I understand,” replied Adrien.  “Is she well enough to sit up, or move?”

“Yes, sir—­at least, she says so,” answered Lucy.  “She is changing her clothes for some of mine, sir; and she says that if you get a carriage—­”

Adrien nodded.

“I understand,” he said again.  “Is there an inn near here where I can hire one?”

“Oh, yes, sir,” replied Lucy.  She quickly directed him to the tiny river hostel not far off, and Adrien disappeared.

Had it not been for that grim presence behind the door, whom, in her excitement, she had nearly forgotten, Lucy would have wished John to come home quickly; as it was, she trembled at every fresh sound as she went upstairs again to her patient.

By means of that most potent magic—­gold, Leroy quickly procured a carriage, old and dusty; but a veritable thing of beauty in such a strait as this.  He meant to get to Hampton, and from there use his own motor.  He hastened back to the little shop, and, summoning Lucy, sent her up with a message.

“Tell the lady,” he said quickly, “I have a carriage waiting, and if she is strong enough, we can start at once.”

The news acted like a tonic; for in a marvellously short time Lady Merivale, pale but resolute, came downstairs into the little sitting-room.