Abruptly Crailey went back to the desk and blew out the candle, after which he sat down again in the same position.

Twenty minutes later he heard Tom's step on the stair, coming up very softly.

Crailey waited in silence until his partner reached the landing, then relit the candle.
"Tom," he called.

"Come in, please, I've been waiting for you." There was a pause before Tom answered from the hall: "I'm very tired, Crailey.

I think I'll go up to bed." "No," said Crailey, "come in." The door was already open, but Tom turned toward it reluctantly.