He returned speedily, and saying that the experiment was likely to be a failure, as the old man had gone to his own room and was preparing himself for bed, he led the way into the study, and with purpose, or without a purpose--who knows ?--idly touched a button on the table top, thus throwing a new light on the scene.

It was Miss Butterworth's first experience of this change of light, and she was observing the effect made by the violet glow now thrown over the picture and the other rich articles in the room when her admiration was cut short, and Mr.Gryce's half-uttered remark also, by the faint sound of the valet's descending steps.
Indeed, they had barely time to regain their old position behind the parlor portieres when Bartow was seen hurrying in from the hall with his former busy air, which this time remained unchecked.
Crossing to his master's study, he paused for an infinitesimal length of time on the threshold, as if conscious of something being amiss, then went into the room beyond, and, without a glance in the direction of the rug, which had been carefully relaid on the spot where his master had fallen, began to make such arrangements for the night as he was in the habit of making at this hour.

He brought a bottle of wine from the cupboard and set it on the table, and then a glass, which he first wiped scrupulously clean.

Then he took out his master's dressing gown and slippers, and, placing them to hand, went into the bedroom.
By this time the two watchers had crept from their concealment near enough to note what he was doing in the bedroom.

He was stooping over the comb which Mr.Gryce had left lying on the floor.