She spoke as she ran to the door, jerked the last words back over her shoulder, and was gone, leaving the doctor face to face with the visitor. "How is he?" said the latter. "You can speak plainly to me." "To be sure I can, my dear sir. Ah, what a world this is. Yesterday we were taking our champagne in the saloon of your charming yacht, to-day--" "You are keeping me waiting for an answer," said Glyddyr, rather stiffly. "So I am," said the doctor, smiling. "Well, how is he? Rather bad. Nasty fit of his usual sort." "Then he is subject to these fits?" "Most decidedly." "But what caused it?" "Worry. From what I can gather, he must have some upset when out walking. Our friend has a temper." "Ah!" ejaculated Glyddyr. "Then he has had some quarrel with this poor fellow who is hurt. The terrible accident followed, and, with the customary crass obstinacy of rustic, ignorant workmen, the poor fellow and his comrades lay the blame of a trouble, caused by their own stupidity, upon their employer." "Yes, I see. Caused great mental disturbance?" "Exactly, my dear sir. He being a man who, in the labour of making money, has nearly worried himself to death." "Yes." "And who now worries himself far more to keep it." "Ah, money is hard to keep," said Glyddyr, with a smile. "He has found it so, sir. When the old bank broke years ago, it hit him to the tune of many thousands." "Indeed!" "Yes; and that set him building this place for his protection. I shouldn't wonder if he has quite a bank here." "Indeed! The the old man is rich?" "Rich! I thought every one knew that. Better be poor and happy." "As we are, eh, doctor? Well, it's a terrible worry--money." This was accompanied by a peculiar look which the doctor interpreted, and replied to with one as suggestive. "No danger, I hope, to the old gentleman?" "No, no. Fits are not favourable to health, though." "Well, no danger this time, I hope?" "Not a bit. He'll feel the shock for a few days. That's all." "And the other patient?" "Hah, yes; I'm just going over there." "He is very bad, you say?" "Bad! I expect to find him gone." The doctor nodded, and left the room. "Bah! how I do hate them," said Glyddyr. "I'd have walked down with him, but I always feel as if I were smelling physic." Glyddyr stood tapping the bottom of his watch, which he had just taken from his pocket, as he talked in a low tone, just as if he were conversing with the little round face before him.