“It ought to be quite easy to verify,” said Frank. “Here is the doctor’s present address. I can write him a letter and ask him if he remembers an appointment last year with Mrs. de Winter.”
“I don’t know if he would take any notice of it,” said Colonel Julyan, “there is so much of this etiquette in the medical profession. Every case is confidential, you know. The only way to get anything out of him would be to get de Winter to see him privately and explain the circumstances. What do you say, de Winter?”
Maxim turned round from the window. “I’m ready to do whatever you care to suggest,” he said quietly.
“Anything for time, eh?” said Favell; “a lot can be done in twenty-four hours, can’t it? Trains can be caught, ships can sail, aeroplanes can fly.”
I saw Mrs. Danvers look sharply from Favell to Maxim, and I realized then, for the first time, that Mrs. Danvers had not known about Favell’s accusation. At last she was beginning to understand. I could tell from the expression on her face. There was doubt written on it, then wonder and hatred mixed, and then conviction. Once again those lean long hands of hers clutched convulsively at her dress, and she passed her tongue over her lips. She went on staring at Maxim. She never took her eyes away from Maxim. It’s too late, I thought, she can’t do anything to us now, the harm is done. It does not matter what she says to us now, or what she does. The harm is done. She can’t hurt us anymore. Maxim did not notice her, or if he did he gave no sign. He was talking to Colonel Julyan.
“What do you suggest?” he said. “Shall I go up in the morning, drive to this address at Barnet? I can wire Baker to expect me.”
“He’s not going alone,” said Favell, with a short laugh. “I have a right to insist on that, haven’t I? Send him up with Inspector Welch and I won’t object.”
If only Mrs. Danvers would take her eyes away from Maxim. Frank had seen her now. He was watching her, puzzled, anxious. I saw him glance once more at the slip of paper in his hands, on which he had written Doctor Baker’s address. Then he too glanced at Maxim. I believe then that some faint idea of the truth began to force itself to his conscience, for he went very white and put the paper down on the table.
“I don’t think there is any necessity to bring Inspector Welch into the affair—yet,” said Colonel Julyan. His voice was different, harder. I did not like the way he used the word “yet.” Why must he use it at all? I did not like it. “If I go with de Winter, and stay with him the whole time, and bring him back, will that satisfy you?” he said.
Favell looked at Maxim, and then at Colonel Julyan. The expression on his face was ugly, calculating, and there was something of triumph too in his light blue eyes. “Yes,” he said slowly, “yes, I suppose so. But for safety’s sake do you mind if I come with you too?”
“No,” said Colonel Julyan, “unfortunately I think you have the right to ask that. But if you do come, I have the right to insist on your being sober.”
“You needn’t worry about that,” said Favell, beginning to smile; “I’ll be sober all right. Sober as the judge will be when he sentences Max in three months’ time. I rather think this Doctor Baker is going to prove my case, after all.”
He looked around at each one of us and began to laugh. I think he too had understood at last the significance of that visit to the doctor.
“Well,” he said, “what time are we going to start in the morning?”
Colonel Julyan looked at Maxim. “How early can you be ready?”
“Anytime you say,” said Maxim.
“Nine o’clock?”
“Nine o’clock,” said Maxim.
“How do we know he won’t do a bolt in the night?” said Favell. “He’s only to cut round to the garage and get his car.”
“Is my word enough for you?” said Maxim, turning to Colonel Julyan. And for the first time Colonel Julyan hesitated. I saw him glance at Frank. And a flush came over Maxim’s face. I saw the little pulse beating on his forehead. “Mrs. Danvers,” he said slowly, “when Mrs. de Winter and I go to bed tonight will you come up yourself and lock the door on the outside? And call us yourself, at seven in the morning?”
“Yes, sir,” said Mrs. Danvers. Still she kept her eyes on him, still her hands clutched at her dress.
“Very well, then,” said Colonel Julyan brusquely. “I don’t think there is anything else we need discuss, tonight. I shall be here sharp at nine in the morning. You will have room for me in your car, de Winter?”