“I consider it suicidal,” Dominey protested.  “What explanation can I possibly make for going to Germany, of all countries in the world, before I have had time to settle down here?”

“That of itself will not be difficult,” his companion pointed out.  “Many of the mines in which a share has been bought in your name are being run with German capital.  It is easy to imagine that a crisis has arisen in the management of one of them.  We require the votes of our fellow shareholders.  You need not trouble your head about that.  And think of the wonder of it!  If only for a single day your sentence of banishment is lifted.  You will breathe the air of the Fatherland once more.”

“It will be wonderful,” Dominey muttered.

“It will be for you,” Seaman promised, “a breath of the things that are to come.  And now, action.  How I love action!  That time-table, my friend, and your chauffeur.”

It was arranged that the two men should leave during the morning for Norwich by motor-car and thence to Harwich.  Dominey, having changed into travelling clothes, sent a messenger for Mrs. Unthank, who came to him presently in his study.  He held out a chair to her, which she declined, however, to take.

“Mrs. Unthank,” he said, “I should like to know why you have been content to remain my wife’s attendant for the last ten years?”

Mrs. Unthank was startled by the suddenness of the attack.

“Lady Dominey has needed me,” she answered, after a moment’s pause.

“Do you consider,” he asked, “that you have been the best possible companion for her?”

“She has never been willing to accept any other,” the woman replied.

“Are you very devoted to my wife?” he enquired.

Mrs. Unthank, grim and fierce though she was and appeared to be, was obviously disconcerted by Dominey’s line of questions.

“If I weren’t,” she demanded, “should I have been here all these years?”

“I scarcely see,” he continued, “what particular claim my wife has had upon you.  I understand, moreover, that you are one of those who firmly believe that I killed your son.  Is this attendance upon my wife a Christian act, then—­the returning of good for evil?”

“Exactly what do you want to say to me, Sir Everard?” she asked harshly.

“I wish to say this,” Dominey replied, “that I am determined to bring about my wife’s restoration to health.  For that reason I am going to have specialists down here, and above all things to change for a time her place of residence.  My own feeling is that she will stand a much better chance of recovery without your attendance.”

“You would dare to send me away?” the woman demanded.

“That is my intention,” Dominey confessed.  “I have not spoken to Lady Dominey yet, but I hope that very soon my influence over her will be such that she will be content to obey my wishes.  I look upon your future from the financial point of view, as my care.  I shall settle upon you the sum of three hundred pounds a year.”