Tell the man to wait and give him the key to the small gate.’

Margit had obviously worked everything out in advance and, being cool-headed no matter how anxious she might be, gave her orders clearly and simply.

As soon as Adam had gone she turned to Balint and, in a whisper that could not have been heard from the next room, told him exactly what had happened that day. In the morning Adrienne had got back from Lausanne where she had gone to place her daughter in a boarding school. Countess Gyalakuthy had heard of her return and asked her to join the others in her box that evening. She said that somehow she didn’t much like the idea, that opera was not really for her, ‘… but as we thought you were at Denestornya …’

‘I only came up for this evening.’

‘Yes, but we didn’t know that then. Anyhow it’s beside the point. I was sitting beside her in the box and I could see her face. It was terrible, because I know her so well … but nobody else noticed anything. I was very scared for her, but there was nothing I could do. It was impossible to leave, and anyway I don’t think she wanted to move. At last the opera came to an end and we could go. We brought her home in our carriage and she never uttered a word. We came in with her, though she clearly didn’t want us to; in fact she did all she could to make us go away at once. Adam waited outside but I refused to leave her. She looked terrible, terrible. I’ve only seen her look like that twice before … but never so intensely, so determined. I was really afraid for her; her eyes were without expression, glassy … and her hands were shaking. I managed to stay with her until she had undressed, but then she suddenly pushed me out of the room and locked the door. That’s when I sent Adam to find you because there wasn’t, there isn’t, any more that I can do. I don’t know what she’s up to in there. Once or twice I heard her groping about and then it seemed as if some small objects fell onto the floor. Since then I’ve heard nothing … for quite a long time. I’ve knocked repeatedly, but she doesn’t answer though I know she’s awake … she’s certainly awake. Only you can help now!’ She stopped, and then, after a pause, went on:

‘If it isn’t too late: I know she’s got some veronal.’

Balint got up and stepped towards Adrienne’s bedroom. Then with tightly clenched fist he knocked twice on her door and in a loud voice said, ‘It’s me, AB. Please let me in!’

They waited. It was only about twenty seconds, but to those in the bathroom it seemed like an eternity. They heard nothing, no words, no footsteps, nothing. Then the key turned twice in the lock. Abady at once grasped the handle: the door opened before him. He stepped quickly into the room and closed the door behind him.