Good-night, Middleton.

If it is too early for you to go to bed, you will find a fire in the smoking-room." I bade Evelyn good-night, and followed Charles down the corridor.

He replaced the lamp with a hand that was steady enough now, and went slowly across the picture-gallery.

The way to my room led me through it also.

Involuntarily I stopped at the head of the great carved staircase which led into the hall, and watched him going down, step by step, with lagging tread.