"Who's in there ?" Mrs.Bray's finger went again to her lips.

"No matter," was replied.
"You must go away until the coast is clear.

Come back in half an hour." And she hurried Pinky out of the door, locking it as the girl retired.
When Mrs.Dinneford came out of the room into which he had gone so hastily, the roll of bank-notes still lay upon the floor.

Mrs.Bray had prudently slipped them into her pocket before admitting Pinky, but as soon as she was alone had thrown them down again.
The face of Mrs.Dinneford was pale, and exhibited no ordinary signs of discomfiture and anxiety.
"Who was that ?" she asked.
"A friend," replied Mrs.Bray, in a cold, self-possessed manner.
A few moments of embarrassed silence followed.

Mrs.Bray crossed the room, touching with her foot the bank-bills, as if they were of no account to her.
"I am half beside myself," said Mrs.Dinneford.
Mrs.Bray made no response, did not even turn toward her visitor.
"I spoke hastily." "A vampire!" Mrs.Bray swept round upon her fiercely.