When she went upstairs she found Jan in the upper hall.

“She’s still sleeping,” she said. “I suppose she needs it, Miss Adams. They won’t hold Father long, will they? They must know he didn’t do it.”

Evidently she did not know about Courtney, and Hilda said nothing. She tried the door to Marian’s room and found it locked.

“How long has she been asleep, Jan?” she asked.

“I don’t know. She’s been in there since the inspector left. It’s seven now.”

Hilda rapped on the door. Then she pounded hard and called. There was no response, however. Jan was standing by, looking terrified.

“You don’t think she’s—”

“She’s probably taken an overdose of sleeping medicine,” Hilda said briskly. “Get a doctor. If you can’t get Courtney Brooke get someone else. And hurry.”

It was Brooke who came, running across the yard and reaching the house as Amos and William were lifting a ladder to the porte-cochere. He shoved them aside and climbed up. A moment later the screen gave way and he unlocked and opened the door into the hall.

“She’s still breathing,” he said. “Go away, Jan. I don’t want you here. She’ll be all right.”

Hilda went in, and he closed the door behind her. Marian was lying on the bed, not moving. She looked peaceful and lovely, almost beautiful, as though that deep sleep of hers had erased the lines from her face and brought back some of her youth. But she was very far gone.

Brooke examined her and threw off his coat.

“Come on, Miss Adams,” he said. “We’ve got to get busy if we’re going to save her.”

Chapter 26

At nine o’clock that same night a young man carrying a parcel arrived at the house and asked for Hilda. William brought the message to Marian’s door.

“Tell him to wait,” she said briefly. “Put him in the morning room and close the door. Tell him he’s to stay if it takes all night.”

William hesitated, his old head shaking.

“How is she, miss?”

“A little better.”

“Thank God for that,” he said and tottered down the stairs.

It was ten o’clock when Courtney Brooke went out into the hall and, bending over, kissed Jan gently.

“It’s all right, darling. You can see her for a minute. Don’t talk to her.”

When Jan came out he was waiting. He took her back to her room and put his arms around her.

“My girl,” he said. “Always and ever my girl, sweet. Hold on to me, darling. You need somebody to hold on to, don’t you? And I’m strong. I’ll never let you down.”

“I’ve had so much, Court!”

“You’ve had too much, sweet. But it’s all over. There won’t be any more.”

She looked up into his eyes, steady and honest, and drew a long breath.

“Why did she do it, Court? Was it because Father—”

“Your father’s all right. Take my word for it, darling.”

“Then who—”

“Hush,” he said, cradling her in his arms. “Hush, my sweet. Don’t think. Don’t worry. It’s all over. You’re to rest now. Just rest.” He picked her up and laid her gently on the bed. “Sleep if you can. Think of me if you can’t! Look out, darling. There’s a moon. I ordered it for tonight, for you.”