'It is all right,' he said.

'The cat's away; and the mice are at play in consequence.' Proceeding up a stone staircase he unlocked the door of a room in the dark, struck a light inside, and returning to the door called in a whisper to Havill, who had remained behind.

'This is Mr.Somerset's studio,' he said.
'How did you get permission ?' inquired Havill, not knowing that Dare had seen no one.
'Anyhow,' said Dare carelessly.

'We can examine the plans at leisure; for if the placid Mrs.Goodman, who is the only one at home, sees the light, she will only think it is Somerset still at work.' Dare uncovered the drawings, and young Somerset's brain-work for the last six weeks lay under their eyes.

To Dare, who was too cursory to trouble himself by entering into such details, it had very little meaning; but the design shone into Havill's head like a light into a dark place.