This was the end, then, of the clue from which he had hoped so much.

Spencer's warning as to what would surely happen to those whom he might succeed in bribing came back into his mind with sickening insistence.

In a measure he was responsible for the girl's death.

After all, what chance had he?
He was fighting against powers which, moving always in the darkness, seemed able with the most ridiculous ease to frustrate his every move.

He re-entered the hotel in a state of complete nervous depression.