I knew that his only desire was to learn whether the cut was real or a pretence, and I began to fear him more and more; until he was gone from the room, I dared scarcely lift my face lest he should read too much in it.
Alone, even, I felt uncomfortable, this seemed so sinister a business, and so ill begun.

I was in the house.

But Madame's frank voice haunted me, and the dumb man's eyes, full of suspicion and menace.

When I presently got up and tried my door, I found it locked.

The room smelt dank and close--like a vault.