The door of the room leading to the entry was ajar, and as he stood by the table he had heard footsteps on the stairs, still far down, but mounting steadily.
He went to the outer door and listened.

There was no doubt that somebody was coming up; any one not deaf could have heard the sound.
It was more strange that Mr.Van Torp should recognise the step, for the rooms on the other side of the landing were occupied, and a stranger would have thought it quite possible that the person who was coming up should be going there.

But Mr.Van Torp evidently knew better, for he opened his door noiselessly and stood waiting to receive the visitor.

The staircase below was dimly lighted by gas, but there was none at the upper landing, and in a few seconds a dark form appeared, casting a tall shadow upwards against the dingy white paint of the wall.

The figure mounted steadily and came directly to the open door--a lady in a long black cloak that quite hid her dress.