For some minutes he stood watching intently.

Then he gave a deep groan and with an impatient gesture he put out the light.

Instantly I made my way back to my room, and very shortly came the stealthy steps passing once more upon their return journey.

Long afterwards when I had fallen into a light sleep I heard a key turn somewhere in a lock, but I could not tell whence the sound came.

What it all means I cannot guess, but there is some secret business going on in this house of gloom which sooner or later we shall get to the bottom of.