He wondered if Julian was conscious of it also, and at moments longed to ask.

But something held him back, that curious something which we all feel at times like a strong hand laid upon us.

He made up his mind that this discomfort of his soul, unreasonably considerable though it was, must be due solely to Julian's abrupt demeanour and obvious desire to check his curiosity about the drawing of the curtain.

But, as the moments ran by, his sense of uneasiness assumed such fantastic proportions that he began to cast about for some more definite, more concrete, cause.

At one instant he found it in the condition of his health.