Maxim said nothing.
He had gone back to the window and was looking out into the garden that was hushed and dark and still.
The rain had ceased at last, but the spots fell from the dripping leaves and from the gutter above the window.
'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 realised 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 any more.
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.
T 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.'