In the dead of the night, as he had slept, mysterious feet had stolen across his room, mysterious hands had placed those few words of half mocking warning in that simple hiding-place! It would have been just as easy, he reflected with a grim little smile, for those hands to have stretched their death-dealing fingers over the bed where he had lain asleep.

He looked once more out over the park.

Somehow, its sunny peace seemed to have become disturbed.
The strange sense of foreboding which he, in common with the others, had carried about with him last night, had returned.
The atmosphere of the pleasant breakfast-room to which in due course he descended, was cheerful enough.

Lady Ashleigh had already taken her place at the head of the table before a glittering array of silver tea and coffee equipage.

The Professor, with a plate in his hand, was making an approving survey of the contents of the dishes ranged upon the sideboard.
"An English breakfast, my dear Quest," he remarked, after they had exchanged the usual greetings, "will, I am sure, appeal to you.